Greenwood to rise with Suns

HUGH Greenwood says he is ready to help shape an exciting future for perennial strugglers Gold Coast Suns, saying he wanted to be a part of “something bigger than just myself”.

After asking to be traded to the wooden-spooners, where he will get a longer deal than what the Crows were offering him with a three-year contract and a games trigger clause for a fourth, Greenwood has joined the Suns in exchange for Gold Coast’s future third and fourth 2020 draft picks.

The 27-year-old former college basketballer played 51 games in three years for the Crows after being convinced to sign as a Category B rookie and swap the NBL for the AFL.

He emerged as a contested ballwinning midfielder, tackling machine and high-marking forward.

But he found himself on the outer for much of the season, dropped twice and played just 14 games.

Despite this Greenwood paid tribute to the Crows for taking a punt on a “washed-up basketballer”.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling to be leaving this great club and its fans, but our family and I couldn’t be more blessed at the opportunities ahead of us,” he posted on Instagram.

Greenwood joins a club that has struggled in recent years, but on the back of signing Richmond dual-premiership player Brandon Ellis and set to have the No.1 and 2 picks in the draft has renewed optimism. He said he was excited at the chance of working with some talented young players.

“It’s a young, exciting and enthusiastic group and I’m just looking forward to slotting in and playing my role as part of it,” he said. “Everyone I’ve spoken to within the four walls is really confident in the direction the club is heading.

“To be a part of that, something bigger than just myself as a player and to be able to help out where I can with the development of some of the younger guys was a huge selling point for me.”

Crows list manager Justin Reid said Greenwood gave a lot to the club both on and off the field.

“It has been a remarkable journey for Hugh, to represent Australia in basketball and then Adelaide in the AFL is a special achievement,” Reid said.

“Hamish Ogilvie [national recruiting manager] worked incredibly hard over the years to get Hugh to the club and Hugh certainly showed he could make a major impact at AFL level.

“Hugh quickly became a fan favourite and was also extremely popular around the club with players, coaches and staff.”