Crows star Matt Crouch talks 2017 power stance, while brother Brad could entertain shorter-term deal to stay at Adelaide
Crows on-baller Matt Crouch has defended his team’s pre-game power stance before the 2017 grand final, saying the decision to perform the move would’ve been lauded had they defeated Richmond.
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Matt Crouch has entered into Crows power stance debate flamed by Richmond’s Justin Leppitsch and former teammate Josh Jenkins, saying there’s a fine line between “masterstroke” and misery.
Crouch notes the infamous power stance before the 2017 AFL grand final loss to the Tigers had been employed with effect in previous finals against GWS and Geelong.
“On reflection it worked for us in a couple of finals, played really well. That was the concept behind it, to be revved up and ready to go when the bounce happens,” said Crouch
“Obviously the grand final, it didn’t work and you live and die by the sword.”
Cats recruit Jenkins says Adelaide was “conned” by Collective Minds into employing the ridiculed stance, while Tigers assistant coach Leppitsch says it backfired.
Former coach Don Pyke’s hierarchy would have been lauded if Adelaide won, insists Crouch.
“Everyone now says we look stupid. But I think if we’d won it would’ve been a masterstroke,” he said
“It’s a funny one to look back on when you look back at some of the photos, it looks pretty funny and we seem to cop it a little bit about it.
“But I think it’s a decision we made at the time.”
Meanwhile, Crouch says playing Showdown 48 at Adelaide Oval would restore a tribal footy ritual missing through COVID-19, despite the AFL delaying its official fixture announcement until Monday.
Premier Steven Marshall says having approved broadcast staff as “essential workers” and quarantine arrangements for umpires the ball is in the AFL’s court regarding public confirmation of an Oval Showdown.
“I think the Showdown result is a lot better if that does happen,” Crouch said.
“A fixture in the traditional way it has happened will be great for the state.
“It will be good to get back into the footy side of things.”
Footy starved fans would love a non-lockout Showdown later in an abbreviated, 17-round season.
The imperative, notes Crouch, is to restart the season.
“The unknown with the fans side of it is the hard one. We don’t know when crowds will be allowed in. I think for our fans it would be great if they could be there but for Round 2, we will just play it in Adelaide,” he said.
“The umpires could fly in with quarantine and get the game to go ahead.”
Adelaide and Port Adelaide will avoid two weeks of a lockdown away from families at the Gold Coast’s Mercure Golf Resort by playing the Round 2 Showdown in Adelaide.
Fly-in, fly-our exemptions are expected to be granted by mid June as the state government relaxes COVID-19 restrictions.
However, Crouch says there are upsides for Matthew Nicks’ young, rebuilding Adelaide group spending a four-week block playing matches on the Gold Coast against West Coast, Fremantle, Brisbane and the Suns.
“I am pretty open to getting up there and playing some footy,” Crouch told ABC Radio.
“It presents its challenge for some people. We are quite a young group so it will be a good thing to go away together and to spend some time together.”
The Advertiser revealed a shorter, high value deal is the key to Adelaide retaining Crouch’s older sibling Brad, despite the Crows club champion coveting long-term security last year.
Off-contract Crouch, 26, was last year the subject of interstate overtures for close to $1 million per season over five years to leave the Crows.
Matt said players were revising contract expectations following COVID-19 cost cutting.
“He is aware with what is going on the landscape has changed a bit. I spoke to him and he is a bit up in the air,” said Matt of fellow midfielder Brad.
“He is focused on playing footy, looking forward to having a good season.
“Hopefully we can play together for a long time.”
The Advertiser understands Brad Crouch’s management – boutique firm W Sports and Media – will take a focus on a condensed deal as negotiations recommence with Adelaide.
The change in tack from career contract to shorter term deal – around two to three years – presents as a win-win for club and player.
Adelaide could offer attractive remuneration while minimising risk over Crouch, who has managed 84 games during an injury plagued journey since debuting in 2013.
There were nine million-dollar AFL players last year, headed by Richmond’s Dustin Martin, but all players must revise pre-COVID-19 expectations.
Crows Head of Football Adam Kelly noted “given the COVID-19 situation” and absence of matches, the AFL had previously pressed clubs to “push pause on player contract negotiations”.
The AFL Round 2 restart on June 11 can see Crouch’s management engage Adelaide with a fresh approach.
Kelly said no more could be asked of the gifted on-baller before deciding his future.
“We couldn’t be happier with the way Brad approached his training program during the stand down period,” Kelly told The Advertiser.
“He’s in great shape and his attitude during what has been a period of great uncertainty has been first rate.”
Clubs face a total player payment reduction from $13 million this year and list number cull going forward but will prioritise elite talent.
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Crouch’s management will request a commercially fair deal and accept players – rightly or wrongly – cop a discount to stay put.
However, a 30 per cent gap between what Adelaide offers and rivals led by Gold Coast would permit the restricted free agent to leave to a club of choice this year.
Big-money, long-term deals have been compromised by the coronavirus pandemic with clubs forced into serious job and staff cost cutting.
Players are taking a 50 per cent pay cut to complete this season, while elite stars will do well to command $800,000 annually in a changed landscape.
The Advertiser in February revealed Crouch had restarted negotiations with Adelaide but wanted to underline his value and durability with a solid pre-season and impressive 2020.
However, Crouch won’t want to sign a ‘Scottie Pippen’ type deal with extensive commitment at low dollars in a pandemic climate as he seeks “a bit of security”.
Wayne Milera penned a lucrative, five-year Crows deal in February before the global pandemic cut down the AFL and economy.
Adelaide is in a rebuilding phase while Crouch is entering his prime, which would fit with clubs in a premiership window like Geelong.
David Teague’s Carlton, Gold Coast or St Kilda crave additional midfield experience.
The Advertiser columnist Kane Cornes notes Adelaide could ‘move on’ Crouch and bank another high draft pick as it rebuilds under Nicks.
There had been a link in football circles about a potential swap with Crouch involving Gold Coast’s young stars.
Adelaide’s hope of prising Izak Rankine from the Suns in any deal has evaporated.
Rankine, pick No. 3 in the 2018 AFL draft, is extremely settled with Stuart Dew’s Suns despite denied a debut last year by hamstring and hip injuries.
Suns forward/midfielder Rankine signed a contract extension last July until 2022.
Originally published as Crows star Matt Crouch talks 2017 power stance, while brother Brad could entertain shorter-term deal to stay at Adelaide
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