Adelaide midfielder Matt Crouch is weighing up a decision to potentially request a trade out of West Lakes at season's end.
The 27-year-old was exiled to the reserves on multiple occasions this season by senior coach Matthew Nicks, raising speculation around his future beyond 2022.
Crouch is contracted to the Crows for next season, having turned down an option to explore free agency 12 months ago to re-sign with the club that drafted him in 2013.
But now facing a crossroads in his career, with Nicks showing a preference for other onballers in his midfield pecking order, Crouch has a decision to make on his future.
The Ballarat product has revealed a call is yet to be made, with discussions on his future continuous following exit meetings at the club earlier this week.
"As I've said consistently throughout the whole season I don't want to be playing SANFL footy, I want to be playing AFL footy," Crouch toldย 10 News.ย
"That's a decision I've got to weigh up.
"We've spoken about that probably the last month, I've had conversations with Nicksy and Reidy (Justin Reid - Adelaide list manager) about that," he said of looking elsewhere should the club see him as a fringe asset.
"I still feel I've got a lot to give at AFL level, it's just about where it lies now.
"There's a fair bit to work through. We're settled in Adelaide now, have got a little one on the way which complicates it a little bit.
"So there's a few things we need to talk about and a bit of water to go under the bridge. The support I've had from the playing group has been amazing. I've got some great mates within the playing group and the opportunity I've been given from the club has been massive as well."
Adelaide are already bracing for a busy off-season, with target and Suns star Izak Rankine requesting a trade to the Crows this week.
His arrival will likely see the South Australian club hand over their first-round selection at this year's National Draft, a pick that sits at fifth overall.
While Rankine's arrival is imminent, the Crows may see a number of names exit the club this year, with the likes of Fischer McAasey, Billy Frampton and James Rowe among those tied to Victorian clubs in recent weeks.
Crouch is yet to be linked with a return to his home state, while his value in a trade is an intriguing one given the Crows' decision to hold him in the reserves for a majority of the latter stages this season.
The Adelaide ball magnet's career-best campaign came in 2017, winning All-Australian and best and fairest honours as the Crows reached the grand final.
