Matt Crouch talks Crow comeback, 2023 and his relationship with Matthew Nicks

Matt Crouch couldn’t find a way into the Crows’ senior side for most of 2023, but when the opportunity came, he took it and ran. The veteran Crow talks his career resurgence.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 26: Matt Crouch of the Crows handpasses the ball during the 2023 AFL Round 24 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium on August 26, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Adelaide midfielder Matt Crouch says he felt somewhat vindicated by playing well at AFL level late last season after getting overlooked for so long.

Crouch was frozen out of the side until round 19, featuring in just one match – as a substitute against Geelong in May – and toiling in the SANFL for 11 games.

It proved a test of character for the 28-year-old, who was an All-Australian and club champion during the Crows’ grand final season in 2017.

He became very frustrated but said he never lost confidence in his ability to influence AFL games.

Crouch returned to play the last six matches, averaging 29.2 disposals and 7.3 clearances.

“My self-belief didn’t change,” Crouch said.

“You can’t lose that confidence because you need that to be able to play well.

“You had to be patient but I knew if I continued to beat the door down at SANFL level, I’d get my chance and I was able to perform when I did.

“In that sense, I did feel a little bit (vindicated after getting recalled).

“It was good to get back and play some good footy late in the year.”

Crouch toiled in the SANFL for most of 2023. Picture: Sarah Reed

Crouch questioned his future at the club at times when he was stuck in the SANFL, as he headed towards the last few months of his contract.

“Your mind goes into those areas,” said Crouch, who let his manager explore opportunities at other clubs while he concentrated on playing.

“But footy can change quickly and it did.”

Adelaide often cited midfield balance as the main reason Crouch was being overlooked.

Considered similar to three-time best-and-fairest winner Rory Laird, Crouch had to wait until the fellow ball magnet was sidelined to get an opportunity against Melbourne at the MCG.

Crouch held his spot for the remainder of the season despite Laird returning the next week.

The Victorian said it was up to the coaches to decide if they could play regularly together next year.

“I felt like it did work well late in the season,” he said.

To earn a recall, the coaches wanted Crouch to be more penetrating with the ball and to get his contest work back to his best.

Crouch was unsure if he changed that much between stints in the side.

“You’re always working on your game and want to improve,” he said.

“I felt like the team around me got a fair bit better since I was last in and we started to jell quite nicely.”

The veteran recently signed a contract extension. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Crouch said there were no issues in his relationship with senior coach Matthew Nicks.

“When you’re not playing, you want to know why,” he said.

“I also understood why the coaching staff were looking at the midfield mix.”

Crouch capped his career turnaround by re-signing for two years in September.

He wanted to stay, having settled in Adelaide with his fiancee and 11-month-old daughter.

But playing AFL regularly was front of mind before extending his contract.

A spot potentially being available was a hot topic in discussions with the Crows.

“Naturally, I want to see where I sit within the footy club, so it was spoken about,” he said.

Crouch backed himself to get picked in round 1.

“I’m not really thinking about playing twos,” he said.

“I feel like if I can continue with that form this year, I can hold my spot.”