Adelaide Crows star Brad Crouch says sorry for alleged early-morning drug bust on Grenfell Street
Brad Crouch has posted an apology on Instagram, saying he is “ashamed, embarrassed and disappointed” for allegedly being found with illicit drugs on Grenfell St on Monday morning. READ HIS APOLOGY
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Analysis: Two days for Crows’ optimism to turn to turmoil
- Rewards and offers – what you get as a digital subscriber
Adelaide Crows star Brad Crouch has released a statement on social media, vowing to “regain the respect” of those he let down after he was allegedly found with an illicit drug early on Monday morning.
Crouch and teammate Tyson Stengle were pulled over by police in a taxi on Grenfell St just after 5am on Monday. The players were found with a substance alleged to be cocaine.
On Thursday morning, Crouch apologised for his actions via his Instagram page.
“I have had a few days to reflect on my behaviour … and I think it’s important to get on here to publicly apologise,” he wrote.
“I am ashamed, embarrassed and disappointed in my actions.”
Crouch has directly addressed the Adelaide Crows fanbase, recognising that he is looked up to as a role model.
”I would (also) like to apologise to the playing group at the Adelaide Football Club, who have given me the opportunity since the age of 17 to live my childhood dream of being an AFL footballer.”
Crouch also apologised to his family and friends, while thanking them for their “love and support”.
“I have made a big mistake. I hope and trust that it does not define me. This is not who I am. I will strive to be a better person and know that I need to regain the respect of those who I have let down.”
Stengle issued his own statement on Thursday, saying there was “no excuse for my behaviour”.
Following on from Brad Crouch’s apology, Stengle made his own on his Instagram account — which he had deleted in the wake of the drug bust in a taxi with his Crows teammate.
Stengle, who was caught drink driving earlier this year, said he apologised for his actions.
“I have let down my family, friends, the Adelaide Football Club and the AFL community,” he said.
“To the loyal Crows supporters, members, sponsors and to the young boys and girls who aspire to be a footy player and look up to me, I have let you down. I am sorry.
“There is no excuse for my behaviour.
“I will now work hard to try and earn your trust back and repay the faith and the love you have shown me.”
Stengle signed a two-year contract extension with the Crows in August, but in the wake of his second indiscretion in six months Adelaide chief executive Andrew Fagan said the 21-year-old had to decide if he wanted to sign up for the standards and values of the club.
Police made no arrests for drug trafficking around Grenfell St the same morning the two Adelaide Crows players were allegedly caught with illicit substances.
The Advertiser asked police whether any arrests of this type had been made between the hours of 1am and 5am on Monday morning.
This could indicate who provided the drugs to the players.
A police spokeswoman said: “There have been no arrests made in connection to this (the Crows) incident. We have no further comment to make.”
The club has been unable to explain why Crouch, 26, and Stengle, 21, were pulled over by police in the taxi.
But the incident, which has threatened their futures at the club, placing Crouch’s contract talks in jeopardy and earning Stengle an ultimatum from Adelaide chief executive Andrew Fagan, came after the pair were captured on SA Police’s extensive security camera network.
The pair will not be charged by police but will face counselling and a club sanction after they were stopped a week after their season ended.
They were said to be receiving drugs. Anyone caught dealing is automatically charged.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens earlier said the small amount of substances they were caught with meant the drug diversion program, in which users are given counselling, was appropriate.
The laws were reviewed in 2018 and an unlimited amount of chances was reduced. Users have two referrals in four years before being charged.
Under state law, failure to comply or participate appropriately will also result in a prosecution, he said.