St Kilda’s eye-watering offer to land Crows star Brad Crouch revealed

Brad Crouch nominated his preferred landing destination, now the club has come to the party with a lucrative offer for the star.

Saints expected to lodge paperwork for Brad Crouch.

St Kilda have lodged paperwork to nab Adelaide Crows midfielder Brad Crouch.

Crouch nominated the Saints as his preferred landing destination with the club to launch its bid for the star onballer.

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The two sides discussed a trade but were unable to reach an agreement. The Saints’ offer for Crouch is between $700-$800,000 a season, according to Jay Clark and Reece Homfray. However Fox Footy’s Tom Morris says the deal is closer to $600,000 a season over four-years.

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

The Age’s Daniel Cherny reported the Crows were not offered pick two after receiving the offer from St Kilda. AFL media’s Mitch Cleary noted the Crows were offered a second round compensation pick for Crouch.

It means the Crows will likely match the Saints offer and force a trade with the club if they want to add the midfielder to the squad for 2021 and beyond.

The AFL has received paperwork for Restricted Free Agent Brad Crouch to sign with St Kilda. The AFL is currently processing the details.

— AFL House (@AFL_House) November 1, 2020

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.

WILLIAMS’ HOPES OF MIDFIELD ROLE

The Blues opened the cheque book to lure Zac Williams away from the GWS Giants and now the incoming star says his time is now to become a pure midfielder.

Bereft of opportunities in a loaded Giants outfit, Williams showed when given opportunities he can be a dangerous game-breaker through the middle of the ground.

A stunning six-year deal worth close to $900,000 per season saw Williams join the Blues and he’s ready to run alongside Patrick Cripps in the midfield, although he knows it won’t happen straight away.

“100 per cent (I want to be a bona fide midfielder),” he told reporters on Sunday.

“I think over the last few years at the Giants with injury and that kind of opportunities pushing into the midfield. Every time I’ve gone in there I’ve taken it with both hands.

“It’s a lot of fun playing in the midfield as you’re around the ball all the time which I love. As a junior I played all my football there so If I get the opportunity there (it’d be awesome).

“I know I’m not going to walk in there and play alongside Patty Cripps and Walsh, and all those young boys. I know I’ve got to work hard and if I want that spot I’ve got to work for it.

“No matter where I play I’ve got to work hard anyway. It’s not like I’m going to walk in and play day one, I know the hard work comes first and the rewards after that.”

Williams is ready for more midfield time.

After signing his lucrative new deal, Williams was asked about the pressure that will come along with the money but doesn’t believe it will take away from his performances.

“I don’t think so. I knew there was always going to be speculation and people would have their opinion,” he said.

“I’m not even worried about what anyone else says, I’m just worried about getting down there and gaining the respect of the playing group and coaching staff, just make sure I’m doing all the right things and can bring that leadership.

“I’m more focused on gaining the respect of everyone involved.”

STAR FORWARD SET TO NOMINATE NEW HOME

North Melbourne’s Ben Brown is reportedly set to announce his preferred trade destination, with Melbourne the landing spot.

A report from Channel 7’s Tom Browne indicates Brown will name the Demons as his future home after a nightmare 2020 season with the Kangaroos.

“Trade update. I expect Ben Brown will nominate and end up at Melbourne,” Browne wrote.

The move could see current Demons player Tom McDonald seek a trade away from the club with Brown set to line up alongside Same Weideman and youngster Luke Jackson in front of goal.