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'Kick in the guts': Crows' stunning AFL trade backflip

chris young
·4-min read
Brad Crouch is pictured playing for the Adelaide Crows during the 2020 AFL season.
Brad Crouch's move to St Kilda has been finalised, after Adelaide ultimately chose not to match the Saints' free agent offer for the 26-year-old midfielder. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

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

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.

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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.

"Ultimately, 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,"

"We wish Brad and his partner Britney all the best for the future as they head to Victoria with many strong friendships from their time here."

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

Adelaide’s decision not to match the offer prompted a wave of criticism on social media, with Channel 7’s Ryan Daniels labelling the move a ‘kick in the guts’ for Crows supporters.

GWS land Dockers forward Jesse Hogan

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.

Jesse Hogan has been traded from Fremantle to the GWS Giants for pick 54 in the 2020 AFL draft. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Jesse Hogan has been traded from Fremantle to the GWS Giants for pick 54 in the 2020 AFL draft. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

"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.

"He's excited to continue his career with us and his commitment is a great endorsement for our club."

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.

"Our club tracked Zac closely before he was drafted in 2017," Eagles list manager Darren Glass said.

"He is also an elite runner and we feel he will add skill and speed to our attacking mix."

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.

The Giants and Cats will head to the trade table with the Cats' bevy of first-round picks - currently 13, 15 and 20 - firmly in the Giants' sights.

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