Resurgent Suns play it cool over Crouch
GOLD Coast appear less likely to chase the signature of Adelaide Crows midfielder Brad Crouch at the end of this year with their list strategy potentially evolving beyond him.
Crouch was linked to the Suns late in last year’s trade period but a deal for the Crows’ 2019 best and fairest couldn’t be done.
The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season and eligible for restricted free agency.
It’s understood the Suns would be open to making the move happen at the end of the 2020 season but their need for Crouch has drastically declined given the recruitment of Hugh Greenwood, Brandon Ellis and draftees Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson.
The Suns’ depth in the centre of the ground is at its highest, with co-captain David Swallow, Touk Miller, Lachie Weller, Wil Powell, Will Brodie, Jeremy Sharp, Anthony Miles, George Horlin-Smith, Brayden Fiorini, Jack Bowes, Ben Ainsworth, Darcy Macpherson all capable of playing in the middle.
It places less of a demand on securing Crouch, improving Gold Coast’s power at the negotiating table should he want out of the struggling Crows while the Suns could become a destination club should their results continue to improve.
Adelaide are on the Gold Coast as part of the AFL’s Queensland COVID-19 hub but Gold Coast are unlikely to use it to speak to the player or his agent.
“He is a free agent at the end of this year, which gives him a little more control,” Suns CEO Mark Evans said. “He will have to make a decision on whether he wants to stay at Adelaide or not.”
The powerful bargaining hand means Gold Coast will be able to make an offer without blowing out their salary cap.