AFL 2022: All the Adelaide Crows news this off-season

Billy Frampton looks bound for his third AFL club after asking Adelaide to be traded to Collingwood. What can the Crows expect in exchange?

Billy Frampton’s future could be away from Adelaide.

Adelaide defender Billy Frampton has told the Crows he wants to be traded to Collingwood, — which would be the third club of his AFL career.

The 25-year-old is out of contract at the Crows and wants to become a Magpie to reignite his career.

After his exit interview on Tuesday, Frampton said a new club might be what is best for his career, after just the six games this season.

“I wouldn’t mind sticking around, I love the boys and love the place, but for my career I think the best move might be to move on, so we’ll see how that plays out over the next couple of weeks.

“I reckon a fresh start sometimes is what you need, a new set of eyes and a new place and you get to work again.”

Collingwood would be the third club of Frampton’s career after he came to the Crows from fierce rivals Port Adelaide at the end of the 2019 season.

Bully Frampton wants to be traded to Collingwood.

He played three games as a forward/ruck for the Power after heading to Alberton in the 2014 draft.

Frampton, who stands at 2m tall, was transformed into a key defender by the Crows over the course of the second half of the 2021 season and this year.

He looked to have found a place in the Crows 22 in this new role, impressing against Richmond and the Western Bulldogs in consecutive weeks.

But after a poor performance against Carlton, in which he was flicked forward for the last quarter, Frampton did not feature at AFL level again for the Crows this season.

It is understood that Collingwood sees Frampton as more of a defender, but his ability in the ruck could prove useful for the Pies if Brodie Grundy departs as expected.

Frampton heading to Collingwood will help ease the list squeeze the Crows are facing ahead of the trade period and the draft.

CROWS ‘MR RELIABLE’ RETIRES AS LIST TRANSITION CONTINUES

Experienced Adelaide defender Luke Brown has retired with a year to go on his contract.

The 29-year-old informed teammates and coaches of his decision in the past 24 hours, as he called time on his 11-year career at the Crows.

Brown came to the Crows after being traded to Adelaide, when he was pre-listed by GWS from Norwood ahead of the 2011 draft.

He debuted in 2012 and played in seven finals, establishing himself as one of the Crows most consistent and reliable defenders.

But this year he spent a significant amount of time in the SANFL after he was dropped from the AFL team and could not win his place back with the Crows boasting numerous young smaller defenders.

Luke Brown has been Adelaide’s most dependable defenders.

Brown has retired with a year to run on his contract.

Brown said he had been contemplating his future for the past couple of months.

“I’d like to thank the club for the journey, I’ve spent a third of my life here and with a young family I am now ready for the next chapter,” Brown said.

“I remember being overlooked in my draft year in 2010 and to be given the chance to play AFL in my home state the year after is something I was very grateful for.

“So to be here 11 years and 189 games later is something I’ll forever be proud of.

“My first game was memorable as were all the finals I got to play in, and as disappointing as the grand final in 2017 turned out to be, to have that opportunity at the top level is something I will always cherish.

“I’ll leave with lifelong friendships and always be proud to have played my career at the Adelaide Football Club.”

Plenty of incredible moments from one of the most underrated players in the comp 🙌#weflyasonepic.twitter.com/unk6lYgSGV

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) September 15, 2022

Crows Coach Matthew Nicks said Brown retired as one of the most respected players in the locker room.

“Browny’s playing career speaks for itself, 189 AFL games of the highest quality and someone you could always rely on,” Nicks said.

“And as one of our most experienced players, his influence in recent years in helping the development of our younger players has been just as important and that’s part of the legacy he leaves here.

“We will miss Browny but he will always be welcome back and we wish him, his wife Ingrid and their daughter Aurora all the very best with the next phase of life.”

Brown finished third in the Crows best and fairest in 2020.

His retirement does ease the list squeeze the Crows are facing with a move for Izak Rankine at the top of the list for Adelaide this trade period.

CROWS DRAFTEE’S FUTURE COULD HINGE ON CROUCH

The future of Adelaide’s mid-season draftee Brett Turner could hinge on whether the Crows can find a new home for Matt Crouch.

After the Crows were knocked out of the SANFL finals series at the preliminary final stage, the Adelaide players who were still involved in the state league team will begin their exit interviews today (Tuesday).

At this stage there are six Crows whose futures are still up in the air.

James Rowe, Billy Frampton, Category B rookie James Borlase, rookies Ben Davis and Tariek Newchurch and mid-season draftee Brett Turner are all unsigned past this season at this stage.

Turner was drafted by the Crows from Glenelg in this year’s Mid-Season Draft.

Brett Turner was taken in the mid-season draft. Picture: Dean Martin

When he was drafted he had a foot injury, which meant the 25-year-old did not play any games for the Crows this season.

There was also speculation prior to the SANFL finals regarding Turner’s future at the Crows, despite it being rare that mid-season draftees don’t make it past their first six months at their new club.

But Turner was one of the Crows best players in the SANFL finals, with an average of 25.6 disposals and 10.6 tackles from the three games.

It should be enough to get Turner a new contract at the Crows, but with the list squeeze at Adelaide it could come down to whether a new home is found for Crouch.

Crouch, who has a year to go on his two-year deal, is being shopped around the competition after he was dropped three-times by the Crows from the AFL side this season.

After his exit interview last month, Crouch said he wants to be playing AFL and would consider a trade request to realise this.

Frampton is understood to have received interest from Collingwood, to make him a three-game player after he came to the Crows from Port Adelaide.

Rowe will have to wait through the trade period to discover his fate, after playing 36 gamers and kicking 27 goals in two seasons at the Crows, with Izak Rankine’s impending arrival at West Lakes.

On top of securing Rankine from the Gold Coast, which could cost at least their first round pick, the Crows will also need to have enough draft picks to select father-son prospect Max Michalanney, son of former Norwood player Jim.

Max Michalanney (right) competes for the Burley. Picture: SANFL Image/David Mariuz

Originally published as AFL 2022: All the Adelaide Crows news this off-season