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Crouch now a Saint after Crows step aside

Adelaide have elected against matching St Kilda’s monster AFL offer for Brad Crouch and the midfielder has become a Saints player.

Nov 05, 2020, updated Nov 05, 2020
Brad Crouch. Photo: Michael Errey / InDaily

Brad Crouch. Photo: Michael Errey / InDaily

The Crows left it right until the 5pm AEDT Wednesday deadline, but have decided not to force St Kilda into a trade for the restricted free agent.

Adelaide last week indicated they would match the bid if the Saints’ long-term offer did not draw pick No.2 as compensation.

But they have instead accepted a second-round selection, currently pick No.23.

“The risk versus reward of matching St Kilda’s offer and trying to force a trade, for say their first-round selection at pick 17, which might not eventuate, didn’t stack up,” Crows list manager Justin Reid said.

“We are committed to making decisions in the best interests of the entire playing group and club, and did not see a lengthy deal as responsible list management in this instance.”

Crouch joins the Saints after playing 95 games with the Crows, including their 2017 grand final loss.

St Kilda have high hopes Adelaide’s 2019 best-and-fairest winner can take them to another level after making finals this year for the first time since 2011.

“Having another high-quality midfielder join our ranks was a target for us heading into this year’s trade period, and we’re expecting him to have an immediate impact on our side,” St Kilda list manager James Gallagher said.

“Brad’s ability to rack up possession and win both contested and uncontested ball is a trait we believe will greatly complement our midfield heading into the future.”

Crouch will miss the first two games next year after he and teammate Tyson Stengle were found by police to be in possession of an illicit substance last month and were suspended by the AFL.

Earlier, Greater Western Sydney traded small forward Zac Langdon to West Coast and used their pick from the Eagles to secure Fremantle tall Jesse Hogan.

The Eagles flipped their third-round draft selection, currently No.54, to the Giants for Langdon, who booted 23 goals in 31 games across three seasons for GWS before requesting a trade.

Barely an hour later, GWS on-traded that pick for Hogan, who joins his third AFL club on a one-year contract after stints at Melbourne and the Dockers.

The clubs had already agreed on trading Hogan, but it became official on the first day of the AFL trade period on Wednesday.

In 2018, Hogan moved from Melbourne to the Dockers for draft picks six and 23 after kicking 152 goals from 71 games for the Demons.

“He’s a mature hard running and strong-marking player who, at his best, can have a big impact on-field,” Giants football manager Jason McCartney said.

Langdon to West Coast became the first trade rubber-stamped on Wednesday and the Eagles are confident his best football is in front of him.

Meanwhile, fringe Richmond defender Oleg Markov, who played 23 games for the Tigers since debuting in 2016, has joined Gold Coast for a future third-round draft pick.

The 24-year-old played six games in 2020 and was emergency for the Tigers’ grand final against Geelong.

-AAP

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