Crows midfielder Hugh Greenwood says he will fully co-operate with external review at the club as he seeks clarity over his future
Hugh Greenwood says he will be as open and honest as possible if required in Adelaide’s external review and hopes to learn more about his future at the club at his exit meeting on Wednesday. Hear him with Tom Jonas on The Lowdown Podcast.
- Open letter from fans to the Crows board
- Penbo: Crows need to ditch secrecy and start talking to fans
- Bickley: Why it’s not all doom and gloom for Adelaide
- Crows deep in contract talks to re-sign defender
- What will Crows do with highest-ever draft pick?
Adelaide midfielder Hugh Greenwood admits something is “not quite right” at the club and has vowed to be open and honest if he is called on as part of the Crows’ external review into the football department.
The 27-year-old does not know if Sunday’s loss to the Western Bulldogs was his last game for the club and he hopes to have some clarity on his future as early as his exit meeting at West Lakes on Wednesday.
Greenwood and the club parked contract talks until after the season as he seeks longer-term security and while he understands why the club may be gun-shy about offering long-term deals, says his preference is to stay.
Greenwood said he learnt of the club’s internal and external reviews when they were announced on Monday and is happy to fully co-operate if required.
Stream every match of the 2019 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“As a playing group we got the vibe that something needed to be done the way the last couple of years have gone,” he told The Advertiser’s The Lowdown Podcast.
“You look at our talent on paper and where we sit the last two years outside the eight when we should be playing finals so there’s something not quite right and we’re not quite sure.
“But the great thing is with an external review hopefully someone can come in and pinpoint it.
“We’re looking forward to getting it across and I’m sure our fans are as well because they want answers and rightfully so.
“Everyone wants to find an answer but we don’t know, it’s one of those things that’s hard to put your finger on and we’re coming out trying to play footy and not having the results we want.
“This is only my first AFL club and I’ve only been here for four years so I don’t know what is good and what’s bad.
“But I’ve been fortunate to be involved in a lot of environments before with the AIS, the Boomers, New Mexico and different environments … so I’ll help out where I can and answer stuff as truthfully as possible because I want what’s best for this footy club and that’s finding the answer to make us get back into finals and compete.”
Greenwood said his contract talks were not about money because the two parties hadn’t agreed on length. Fox Footy on Monday reported he was seeking a five-year deal but Greenwood said it was three.
“We’re just seeking clarity obviously so I’ll probably have a better answer tomorrow once I’ve sat down with Reidy and Don and Bird and those guys,” he said.
“To be honest we haven’t really had a conversation the last couple of months so will be interested to see where we’re at and what their thought process is.
“We’re still hopeful, the longer it goes the less confident you get of course, but we’re certainly still hopeful and at the end of the day will make a decision on what’s best for myself, my family and my future footy.
“I understand the club has to make some tough calls. There’s no secret there will be some serious changes to our list and I’m not going to sit here saying I’m the only one in the boat, there’s a lot of names being thrown around and guys in a similar situation.
“I’m just looking to get some clarity, hopefully tomorrow, otherwise in the next month or two.”
Official post-season gatherings have been put on hold at Adelaide and Port until their respective SANFL team’s campaigns are over, but the Crows got together on Sunday night to celebrate Richard Douglas and Andy Otten’s careers and Port Adelaide has had low-key drinks.
Greenwood’s co-host on The Lowdown, Power co-captain Tom Jonas, said he was pleased with chief executive Keith Thomas confirming coach Ken Hinkley’s future on Monday.
“No surprises there, I was very glad to hear Keith come out and put it all to sleep and it’s great to have Kenny secured for next year and with the full backing of the board and Keith,” Jonas said.
“The Crows are having an external and internal review but at this time of year everyone is doing a review, whether they win the flag or finish bottom they’ll be working out what they did well and not so well for areas to improve next year.”
reece.homfray@news.com.au