Brad Crouch capped off a big week by topping the coaches’ votes at Domain Stadium on Sunday.
Crouch, who signed a new four-year deal with the Crows last Friday, earned nine votes from Don Pyke and Ross Lyon in Adelaide’s 72-point win over Fremantle.
The prolific midfielder collected 29 possessions – including 19 in a dominant first half display – five inside 50ms, four clearances and two goal assists. Crouch, 22, has polled votes from the coaches in four of his past six games.
Eddie Betts, who kicked a season-high six goals, was judged the next-best player on the ground. Betts received seven votes to improve his season tally to 57 – second only to Rory Sloane at West Lakes in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award.
Fellow forward Josh Jenkins earned six votes for his five-goal haul against the Dockers. Jenkins, who was No.1 for scoreboard impact in Round 21 according to Champion Data, was involved in 11 Adelaide scores.
In-form defender Rory Laird continued his brilliant form. Laird, who was the leading possession winner on the ground with 33, was awarded three votes.
Experienced midfielder Scott Thompson also scored three votes. Thompson generated a game-high seven inside 50ms with his 26 disposals. He also kicked a goal and applied seven tackles.
Dangerous forward Michael Walters, who kicked five goals, was the sole Docker to receive votes (two) on the weekend.
The clash between Adelaide and Fremantle was the only game not to produce a perfect 10. A total of eight players, Marcus Bontempelli, Dayne Zorko, Isaac Smith, Luke Shuey, Lance Franklin, Max Gawn, David Zaharakis and Alex Rance, all polled maximum votes.
Bontempelli’s performance against Collingwood saw him move into equal third spot on the overall leaderboard. Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield (105 votes) received six votes to extend his lead over former teammate Sloane (93) at the top of the table.
Adelaide v Fremantle
9 – Brad Crouch (Adel)
7 – Eddie Betts (Adel)
6 – Josh Jenkins (Adel)
3 – Rory Laird (Adel)
3 – Scott Thompson (Adel)
2 – Michael Walters (Frem)
Round 20 Leaderboard
105 Patrick Dangerfield (Geel)
93 Rory Sloane (Adel)
88 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
88 Dustin Martin (Rich)
80 Luke Shuey (WC)
77 Dan Hannebery (Syd)
77 Luke Parker (Syd)
77 Joel Selwood (Geel)
67 Tom Lynch (GC)
65 Sam Mitchell (Haw)
Crows Leaderboard
93 – Rory Sloane
57 – Eddie Betts
45 – Rory Laird
34 – Tom Lynch
28 – Josh Jenkins
24 – Taylor Walker
23 – Daniel Talia
22 – Scott Thompson
20 – Brad Crouch
18 – Brodie Smith
17 – Matt Crouch
11 – Charlie Cameron
9 – Luke Brown
7 – Sam Jacobs
3 – Rory Atkins
3 – Kyle Cheney
3 – Richard Douglas
3 – Ricky Henderson
3 – Jake Lever
3 – Jarryd Lyons
1 – Kyle Hartigan
