AFL: Adelaide midfielder Ben Keays wants new contract and to take on Richmond star Dustin Martin this week

Adelaide midfielder Ben Keays has put his hand up for a new, long-term contract at the Crows and wants to take on Richmond star Dustin Martin this week to show he’s worth it.

: Ben Keays of the Crows handballs during the round 16 AFL against Greater Western Sydney (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Adelaide midfielder Ben Keays has put his hand for a long-term deal with the Crows, declaring he has “so much more to give”.

The 23-year-old has also offered to tag Richmond superstar Dustin Martin on Saturday as his side pushes for what remains an unlikely bid to avoid the club’s first wooden spoon after three wins in a row.

Keays joined the Crows on a one-year deal after crossing from the Brisbane Lions where he spent four years “in and out” of the team, including just two matches in each of his final two season.

But having racked up 15 matches this year, as well as bringing what he said was “a lot to the club on and off the field”, Keays wants to stay for a few years more.

“I’d love that security. I think that I’ve shown that I can play good footy,” he said on Monday.

“At my age, this is really my first full season in the side, I feel like I can keep growing and building, so I would love that. I think I’ve brought a lot to the club leadership wise as well.

“I will be pushing for that security after coming here on a one-year deal and playing the way I have. I definitely feel comfortable with what I have done this year. I’ve loved playing here.”

Keays said his management was in talks with the Crows, and he was confident of a good result having been embraced by Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks.

“I was one of those guys who had my second chance. I felt that I have played the strongest footy of my career so far,” he said.

“The first part of my career was up and down and in and out, so to have that faith from the coaches to play me has helped me so much.

“I’ve always been someone that’s put the yards in. You do a lot of stuff off the field then there’s the on-field aspect that just comes with continuity really and to just be given the faith to play some games in a row and coaches to say they want you in … from there I have grown and become more confident.”

Ben Keays wants to take on Richmond bull Dustin Martin Pic: Michael Klein

Keays also said he had added tagging to his “arsenal” this season and would relish the challenge of taking on Martin in a game the Crows would have to win, and hope North gets smashed by West Coast, to jump off the bottom of the ladder.

“I’d say I’ll do it. It would definitely be a challenge, but I’m prepared to do whatever comes my way this season. I feel like I’ve got that in my arsenal now,” he said.

“(Getting off the bottom) is not something we ever looked at because of the way the season was going, we never thought about positioning.

“We’ll be looking to come out the same way we have the last three weeks. Clearly we can play some good footy, and we want to do that again.”

Originally published as AFL: Adelaide midfielder Ben Keays wants new contract and to take on Richmond star Dustin Martin this week