Brad Crouch becomes a Saint after Crows opt not to match offer

Adelaide remained firm in their stance they wouldn’t part with anything less than a high pick for a star. On Wednesday that changed.

Brad Crouch is a Saint.

Brad Crouch’s playing future came right down to the wire, but the Adelaide Crows midfielder is now officially a Saint.

The Crows had three days to match St Kilda’s offer, but the clock ran out and Crouch will now join his new team for the 2021 season.

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Crouch nominated the Saints as his preferred landing destination and a four-year offer worth a reported $700,000 a season was enough to seal the deal.

St Kilda head of List Management James Gallagher trumpeted his team’s coup on Wednesday night.

“It’s a really exciting prospect for our club and supporters to have Brad commit to St Kilda,” Gallagher said.

“Having another high-quality midfielder join our ranks was a target for us heading into this year’s Trade Period, and we’re expecting him to have an immediate impact on our side.

“Brad’s ability to rack up possession and win both contested and uncontested ball is a trait we believe will greatly complement our midfield heading into the future.”

Adelaide had been hopeful of landing pick two as compensation for losing Crouch, but those dreams were dashed on Sunday.

The compensation offered to the Crows was a second-round pick, far less than the team had hoped.

Crows footy boss Adam Kelly told AFL Trade Radio through the week the club would look to match and force a trade if they didn’t get a desired compensation result.

“We’re obviously hopeful that the compensation would be resulting in Pick 2 – and it’s really only under those circumstances that we would consider matching and looking to force a trade or retain Brad’s services,” Kelly said.

On Wednesday the rollercoaster came to an end when the Crows opted not to match the Saints offer and will now watch Crouch walk out the door.

Crouch is out.

The Crows opting not to match the offer didn’t go down well with footy fans on social media.

Kane Cornes wrote simply: “Unbelievable”.

The Age’s Sam McClure wrote: “After everything … Adelaide have not matched St Kilda’s contract offer to Brad Crouch. Crouch now a Saint.”

Channel 7 presenter Ryan Daniels wrote: “Another kick in the guts for Crows supporters. Adelaide lose their 2018 best and fairest for pick 23 – which will likely end up around 26/27 after bids. I’m sure they had their reasons not to match but would have to think they would’ve got more in a trade.”

In a statement issued shortly after the news was announced, the Crows thanked Crouch for his time at the club and wished him the best at St Kilda.

“We wish Brad and his partner Britney all the best for the future as they head to Victoria with many strong friendships from their time here,” Crows General Manager List Management and Strategy Justin Reid said.

Reid acknowledged a long-term deal was part of the reasoning behind why they opted not to match the offer.

“We are committed to making decisions in the best interests of the entire playing group and Club, and did not see a lengthy deal as responsible list management in this instance,” Reid said.

“The AFL’s free agency rules determine what compensation is received in return for a departing player.

“Ultimately, the risk versus reward of matching St Kilda’s offer and trying to force a trade, for say their first Round selection at pick 17, which might not eventuate, didn’t stack up.

“We acknowledge there will be plenty of debate, and in some cases frustration, among our Members and fans about the merit of accepting the compensation but we exhausted all available options.”