Local football club Noble Park have announced that recently retired Saint Brad Crouch will join the club as a non-playing assistant coach for the senior men's team in 2025.
Just a day after Crouch announced his retirement from AFL football, the ex-St Kilda midfielder will be trading in his red, black and white for blue and gold in the Eastern Football Netball League's premier division.
Crouch played 161 games at AFL level for Adelaide and St Kilda, but only managed one appearance in 2024, before his chronic knee concerns forced him into hanging up the boots. It came just days after St Kilda intriguingly re-signed Crouch in the Rookie Draft, despite his plans to retire.
In September, Crouch's position as a sales executive in commercial real estate with Colliers was revealed, indicating his degenerative knee would spell the end of a 12-year career. Crouch told his teammates that his long-term health concerns ultimately led to the 31-year-old pulling the pin.
"It's been a really tough few months and this is definitely not how I saw my footy career ending," Crouch said.
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Joining a club known for breeding AFL talent, such as Glenn Archer, Stephen Milne, and Adam Treloar, the Noble Park Bulls will now bring AFL experience back into the fold. Aiming to improve on a seventh-placed finish in 2024, Crouch will add professional leadership as an assistant coach to the local team.
"The Noble Park Football Club is excited to announce the appointment of Brad Crouch as Senior Assistant Coach for Season 2025," the club statement said.
"Brad comes to us immediately out of the AFL where unfortunately injury shortened his outstanding AFL career. With over 160 games with the Adelaide Crows and St. Kilda Football Clubs, Brad brings a wealth of knowledge & experience to our Club.
"We look forward to Brad passing on his leadership qualities to our young playing group."
Crouch was contracted for 2025 at St Kilda, however his departure provides the Saints with additional salary cap freedom and a spare list spot. The first supplemental selection period (SSP) is now open for clubs, with players such as Quinton Narkle and Jaxon Prior signing at Fremantle and Essendon respectively.
St Kilda have officially asked SANFL Magarey Medallist Harry Boyd to train with the club as a potential list replacement.
