AFL Trade Period: All the latest Adelaide Crows news

Matt Crouch has fielded interest from several clubs as he moves closer to a move away from Adelaide.

Matt Crouch is still a late chance to leave Adelaide amid interest from three clubs.

Crouch, an All-Australian and club champion in 2017, has been weighing up his future after falling out of favour at the Crows this year, being dropped three times.

Crows list manager Justin Reid said last week that he expected the 27-year-old to remain at West Lakes in 2023 to see out his contract.

But it is understood Crouch may opt to request a trade in the next few days.

The Victorian is really keen to play regularly at the top level, rather than be a second-string player, which Adelaide has been viewing him as.

He featured in 11 AFL games this past season and eight in the SANFL.

Matt Crouch has interest from three clubs. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Crouch, who bought a house in Adelaide last year and was expecting his first child with his fiancee, Ellie, would not seek a move unless he went to a club with a genuine need for an inside midfielder.

After missing all of last year with groin issues, Crouch averaged 27.4 disposals and 4.36 clearances at AFL level this past season.

But he has fallen behind the likes of Ben Keays, Sam Berry and Rory Laird in the midfield pecking order at the Crows.

Crouch averaged 36.9 possessions and eight clearances in the SANFL this year, gathering 40 touches in four of his eight matches.

CROWS EXPECT MCASEY, CROUCH TO STAY

Simeon Thomas-Wilson

Adelaide list manager Justin Reid says the Crows are expecting Fischer McAsey to remain at the club next year, as the former No. 6 draft pick revealed he has been in discussions about a move back to Melbourne.

And Reid says Matt Crouch will be at West Lakes in 2023.

McAsey was selected by the Crows with the sixth pick of the 2019 draft – at the time Adelaide’s highest ever selection.

He played 10 games in his first season in 2020 as a key defender but hasn’t played AFL football since.

Heading home to Melbourne on Friday, the 21-year-old – who is contracted until the end of next year – told Channel 10 at Adelaide Airport that there had been discussions about a trade to a Victorian club.

Fischer McAsey tackles teammate Taylor Walker at training. Picture: Sarah Reed

Reid told News Corp the Crows were expecting McAsey to be at West Lakes next year.

“Obviously there was speculation during the year with some interest from Carlton but ultimately nothing prevailed,” he said.

“Tall players take time to develop, Fischer hasn’t still been able to do a full pre-season yet and we expect Fischer to be at the football club next year.”

McAsey, who stands at 197cm, was flicked forward in the SANFL this year after some quiet games in defence.

Reid said players like McAsey could take time to develop.

“I think all players for them to have great seasons it starts in the off-season and we know with tall developing players, as we’ve seen with Darcy Fogarty, they take time to develop,” he said.

“I guess being a high draft pick there is also high expectations but we feel like we have the program around Fischer and his off-season and pre-season will dictate the season he has next year.”

The Crows expect Matt Crouch to remain at West Lakes. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

An All-Australian and club best and fairest in 2017, Crouch was dropped by the Crows three times this year.

It is understood Crouch, 27 and with a year to go on his contract, has been shopped around the competition.

But Reid said the club was expecting Crouch to be at the Crows in 2023.

“Matt is contracted and we expect him to be at the football club next year,” he said.

“So he will be looking for a really big off-season and Matt will be at the footy club.

“We are always having open dialogue with all our players on the list and their managers and Matt is contracted so we expect him to be at the footy club next year.”

Reid said Lachlan Sholl was another player who the Crows were expecting to remain on the list next season.

The Crows main priority in the trade period will be securing young gun Izak Rankine from Gold Coast.

Negotiations have started with the Crows first pick of the draft, currently five, on the table.

“Certainly pick five is sitting there and we have been really clear with the Gold Coast around that, it’s a really strong pick so we will work through the rest in the coming weeks,” Reid said.

Billy Frampton will join Collingwood.

Originally published as AFL Trade Period: All the latest Adelaide Crows news