AFL 2024: Mark Keane on Adelaide future, Billy Dowling talks Crows rise
Adelaide backman Mark Keane has responded to links to his former club Collingwood after emerging as one of the linchpins of the Crows’ defence this year.
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Adelaide defender Mark Keane has expressed his desire to commit his long-term future to the club after being linked with a return to his former club Collingwood.
The Magpies are crying out for defensive reinforcements after the forced retirement of premiership backman Nathan Murphy due to concussion.
The 24-year-old Irishman, who quit Collingwood in 2021 and returned home, has emerged as a linchpin of the Crows backline this year.
Keane has averaged 17 disposals, 7.7 intercepts and 5.8 marks a game this year, helping offset the departure of Tom Doedee to Brisbane Lions and absence of Nick Murray due to a knee injury.
“Not growing up with the game and now having a few options, maybe, it’s definitely flattering and I suppose I’m going in the right direction,” he told Channel 7.
Keane said he hoped a deal would be reached “sooner rather than later”, adding “hopefully something will get done”.
“Love the club and love the city. It’s a great place to live,” he said.
He is contracted at the Crows until the end of 2025.
Earlier this month, Keane told SEN: “I’m contracted here for next year, but just holding off on stuff until the end of the season. We’ll see what happens there.”
The market for key defenders has gone into overdrive in recent years, with St Kilda’s Josh Battle being linked with a move to Hawthorn on a deal worth more than $900,000 a season.
Ben McKay (North Melbourne to Essendon), Joel Hamling (Fremantle to Sydney), Esava Ratugolea (Geelong to Port Adelaide) and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Essendon to Port Adelaide) moved clubs in the 2023 off-season.
DOWLING: HOW I TUNED OUT FANS’ CALLS FOR AFL DEBUT
— Matt Turner
Five-game Crow Billy Dowling says he was aware of fans demanding he debut sooner but stayed focused on playing his role until he received his AFL call-up.
The second-year midfielder became one of the poster boys for frustrated Adelaide supporters wanting more youngsters in the top side when the team was struggling earlier this season.
Dowling averaged 24.1 disposals, 5.9 tackles and 5.4 clearances in the SANFL before getting his opportunity against Richmond at Adelaide Oval in round 14 last month.
He said tried “not get too caught up in the outside noise” as he knocked down the proverbial selection door.
“I was pretty focused on what I had to do and the role I had to play to get to AFL footy,” Dowling said.
“There was a bit of noise but talking to a lot of the coaches – (head of development) Marco Bello and (midfield mentor) Nathan van Berlo – and they were great for me.
“I’d visit Rosie, the club psychologist … and she was able to bring it back to what I had to do and the role I had to play.
“That allowed me to stay level-headed throughout my games and not try to do too much.”
Dowling collected 17 disposals and kicked a goal against the Tigers.
He missed a chance to boot another late major as the Crows went down by eight points.
“I probably rushed it a bit, obviously first-game jitters,” he said.
“But it was great to learn from because I’ve had a couple of set shots where I’ve just relaxed, taken a deep breath and I’ve calmed myself enough to go back and execute.”
Dowling said he did not get caught up in what outsiders were saying about the team after scrutiny increased in the wake of his debut match.
Adelaide has since won two of its past four games, including a 32-point home triumph over St Kilda on Saturday night.
Dowling said playing on Brisbane’s dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale last week was his “welcome to the AFL” moment.
He had heard plenty about Neale, a St Peter’s College graduate, while playing school football.
“When you’re out there, you look at them as just another oppo and you don’t get too starstruck,” Dowling said.
“It’s obviously a weird feeling and if you told me that five years ago, I’d probably have a different response.
“To be playing a game against him was pretty awesome.”
Dowling had the best performance of his young career on Saturday night, registering 20 disposals and a goal.
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Originally published as AFL 2024: Mark Keane on Adelaide future, Billy Dowling talks Crows rise
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