Matt Crouch

AFL trade news: Crows free agent “shopped to rival clubs”

The Adelaide midfielder is tipped to depart West Lakes at season’s end.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Adelaide star Matt Crouch is tipped to follow in the footsteps of his brother and depart West Lakes in taking up his free agency rights.

According to SEN's Sam Edmund, the Crows midfielder has reportedly been placed on offer to rival clubs in hope of gauging interest from potential suitors.

Edmund reports that the Crows are "open" to the idea, prompting strong belief the 26-year-old won't be at the club next season.

RELATED: Five potential landing spots for Tom Lynch

A restricted free agent, Crouch could opt for a return to his home state of Victoria at season's end, a path his brother Brad took in 2020, moving to St Kilda from Adelaide.

“It’s increasingly likely that he (Crouch) is going to be on the move,” Edmund said.

“His brother Brad moved to Victoria as a restricted free agent last year – Matt set to follow this year.

“He’s been shopped to rival clubs to see who’s interested. The Crows are open to it too.”

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 02: Matt Crouch of the Adelaide Crows handballs during the match between Adelaide and Port Adelaide at Memorial Oval Port Pire on March 02, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

The Crows front office are understood to have tabled Crouch a new deal past this season.

The 2017 Malcolm Blight medallist will not feature for Matthew Nicks' side this season after requiring groin surgery.

Crouch has played 125 games for the Crows since making his debut in 2014, going on to earn an All-Australian jacket in 2017.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Matt Crouch of the Crows is tackled by Mitch Wallis of the Bulldogs during the 2017 AFL round 16 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Western Bulldogs at the Adelaide Oval on July 07, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Should Crouch depart, he will join veteran forward Tom Lynch in calling this year as their last at the club.

Adelaide announced earlier this week that Lynch would not be offered a contract for the 2022 season.

Published by
Mitch Keating