Four clubs in mix for Adelaide midfielder Hugh Greenwood as stats reveal the influence of his disposals

Hugh Greenwood is attracting interest from at least four of Adelaide’s rivals and one stat proves the value the tough Crows on-baller would bring if he switches clubs.

Hugh Greenwood has interest from at least four clubs. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Adelaide midfielder Hugh Greenwood has put off contract talks until the end of the year as statistics reveal the bullocking on-baller’s true value.

St Kilda and Hawthorn are among four clubs that have expressed genuine interest in the 27-year-old, a former NBL basketballer.

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Gold Coast and Brisbane Lions have also asked about his availability, with Greenwood a goalkicking midfielder who boasts elite pressure skills.

Champion Data statistics reveal Greenwood has the best disposal to ranking points conversion rate of any midfielder this season.

Greenwood, who has averaged 17.2 disposals in 13 games, averages five ranking points per possession, putting him above the AFL’s premier on-ballers.

That statistic rates the influence of his possessions ahead of Marcus Bontempelli (4.3 ranking points per disposal), Patrick Cripps (4.2), Patrick Dangerfield (4.2) and Brownlow Medal favourite Lachie Neale (3.9).

In four SANFL games this year, Greenwood has averaged 118 ranking points and 23.3 disposals.

The Crows have offered Greenwood a two-year deal and he is keen to remain at the Crows after they secured him as a Category B rookie in 2015.

But as a late bloomer in AFL, he is also attracted by security and is pushing for a third or fourth season on that contract.

Hugh Greenwood has interest from at least four clubs. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Hugh Greenwood has been stuck in the SANFL. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images.

His management and the club are negotiating amicably but the Crows will not relent on handing him more than two seasons because he turns 28 next March.

So his deal will be parked to assess whether Adelaide’s circumstances change — a list overhaul is imminent — and whether concrete offers come in from rivals.

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He played SANFL on the weekend, told his pressuring had dropped off despite two 100-ranking point games in Rounds 16-17 before a quiet 13-possession, one-goal game against Essendon saw him dropped.

His manager, Michael Oakes of Elevation Sports, told the Herald Sun Greenwood’s late start to his AFL career was a factor in his contract discussions.

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“He does want to stay and loves being there. Money is not an issue but we are negotiating on the length of contract so we will chat again in September. He would like to say but it’s parked until the end of the season,“ he said.

Adelaide has conceded it must turn over a list that has been the second-oldest for much of the year.

Greenwood might become more of a priority if clubs come hard at Brad Crouch, out of contract next year, or if Bryce Gibbs moves to another club.

Adelaide chief executive Andrew Fagan said of Greenwood and Alex Keath’s contracts on Triple M last week: “We’ve got a list management process we’ve got to work through,” he said.

“We’ve got those two guys plus a few others who are out of contact and we’ve got to put together a list that’s going to be competitive for next year.”

Sam Jacobs is also out of contract, with Eddie Betts keen to play on into the last year of his deal but Adelaide sure to at least have a conversation about a financial settlement if he retires.

Originally published as Four clubs in mix for Adelaide midfielder Hugh Greenwood as stats reveal the influence of his disposals