Matt Crouch signs to stay with Adelaide Crows until end of 2021 season
ADELAIDE club champion Matt Crouch has given Crows fans a late Christmas present, extending his contract with the club until the end of the 2021 season.
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ADELAIDE club champion Matt Crouch has given Crows fans a late Christmas present, re-signing with the club until the end of the 2021 season.
The All-Australian midfielder extended his contract by three years in a huge boost for the club which fell at the last hurdle in 2017.
The contract extension comes after a breakout year for Crouch, who easily won his first Malcolm Blight Medal as the Crows best and fairest while breaking the AFL record for most disposals in a season (825) at an average of 33 — the highest in Crows’ history, beating the 32.7 average set by inaugural club captain Chris McDermott in 1992.
The 22-year-old was a model of consistency, polling votes in all of Adelaide’s 2017 home and away games and finals, including the grand final loss to Richmond.
Crouch, who has played 72 AFL games since making his debut in 2014, said the club was a “fantastic place to be” and he was thrilled to be continuing his career at West Lakes.
“I’m really pleased to be able to wear the Crows colours for the next four years at least,” Crouch said.
“The club is a fantastic place to be with a committed playing and coaching group who are determined to achieve success.
“I’m excited for what the future holds and look forward to the start of season 2018 already.”
The contract extension will come as welcome news to Crows fans following the departures of Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron in the off-season.
But the move could put more heat on vice-captain Rory Sloane who enters his free agency season and is yet to commit to the club beyond 2018 amid speculation he and wife Belinda might shift to Melbourne.
Crows general manager list management and strategy Justin Reid said Crouch’s contract extension was a great result for the club.
“He has not only bought into but led the way with the club’s team-first culture and helped create a really positive environment,” Reid said.
“At only 22 years of age his best football is still ahead of him and we are excited to continue to see him grow as a player and a leader.”.