Crozier discovers new home with Bulldogs

SAM LANDSBERGER WESTERN Bulldogs hope to reinvent Hayden Crozier as a defender to help their backline following the retirement of captain Bob Murphy and premiership player Matthew Boyd.

Crozier, 23, arrived at Whitten Oval yesterday on a threeyear contract as the club’s second trade acquisition after Port Adelaide free agent Jack- son Trengove. The Dogs sent pick 40 to Fremantle for Crozier, who has long been on the club’s hit list.

The Dogs also sent pick No.82 to the Dockers and received a future fourth-round selection in return.

Recruiter Simon Dalrymple thought about drafting Crozier at pick No.17 in 2011, but instead plumped for inside midfielder Clay Smith.

Crozier went three selec- tions later, and played 69 games in six seasons. He played a career-high 19 games this year and kicked 13 goals.

The former Eastern Ranges player is related to the Dogs’ chief commercial officer Nick Truelson.

Crozier provided one of the highlights of the under-18 national championships in 2011 when he leapt on to the shoulders of a West Australian opponent to take a screamer on Vic Metro’s goal line.

“Hayden’s got a great athletic profile, which will allow us the flexibility to play him back, forward or wing, with his aerial game a particular strength,” Dogs list manager Jason McCartney said yesterday.

While Murphy was deployed forward for parts of this season and Boyd fell to the VFL, Crozier adds another flavour to the changing back half.