Former Club Champion and All-Australian midfielder Matt Crouch has extended his contract with Adelaide for the next two years.

The 26-year-old has played 125 games with the Crows and is part of the leadership group that is helping to guide a young and exciting playing group at West Lakes.

A groin injury which required surgery prevented Crouch from playing an AFL game this year but he continues to make strong progress in his rehabilitation and is expected to be in a good position for the start of pre-season training.

Crouch joined Adelaide with Pick No.23 in the 2013 National Draft and debuted in 2014. The left-footer soon became a regular part of the Club’s midfield and in 2017 he won the Malcolm Blight Medal and was named in the All-Australian team.

Crouch said he was happy to put pen to paper and was looking forward to a strong pre-season. 

“It was always my preference to re-sign with Adelaide and it was just a matter of taking the time to work through where both I and the Club were at,” Crouch said.

“I’m excited by our young list and confident in the direction we are heading.

“Although it has been a frustrating year for me personally with injury, I’m now looking forward to getting back on the training track with all my teammates in pre-season and returning to the field next year.

“We are building something special here and I am confident I have plenty of good footy ahead of me as has the team.” 

Adelaide General Manager List Management and Strategy Justin Reid said Crouch was a vitally important part of the Crows’ team and in particular the midfield.

“We know the quality of player that Matt is and we are very pleased he has recommitted to the Club,” Reid said.

“He is also an important leader for us and with the number of young midfielders we have emerging at AFL level, his experience is crucial.

“We see Matt as a big part of our future which we are excited about and it’s fantastic he has committed to the Club.”