A late inclusion for Adelaide’s clash with St Kilda, Matt Crouch shared top votes on Sunday night.
Crouch, who replaced mentor Scott Thompson in the team, amassed a career and game-high 36 possessions, including 17 in the first-quarter, in his team’s 88-point win over the Saints. The 21-year-old ball winner also led Adelaide’s clearance count with nine.
Crouch and seven-goal Crows forward Josh Jenkins each received eight votes from coaches Don Pyke and Alan Richardson at Adelaide Oval. Jenkins also set a new personal best for possessions, collecting 24 to go with 13 marks.
Relentless competitor Rory Sloane earned seven votes against St Kilda. Sloane racked up a season-high 32 possessions (15 contested), eight tackles, seven marks and a goal. He also had a game-high 28 pressure acts.
The 2013 Crows Club Champion has moved to outright fourth place in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award with 45 votes.
Rory Laird collected votes in his first game in a month. Laird, who missed four matches with a fractured toe, finished with 30 possessions and eight marks in an impressive return.
Skipper Taylor Walker continued his run of good form. Walker, who attracted two votes, kicked three goals from 21 possessions and 10 marks.
Defenders Jake Lever and Brodie Smith (one vote each) rounded out the voting. Lever chalked up a career-high 30 disposals and 13 marks, while Smith generated five inside 50ms from his 24 touches.
Only three players earned maximum votes in Round 11. Melbourne midfielder Dom Tyson, Ed Curnow of Carlton and Port Adelaide’s Jarman Impey.
Sydney Swans onballer Dan Hannebery extended his lead in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award with five votes in his team’s win over Gold Coast. Ruckman Todd Goldstein remains in second spot despite sitting out North Melbourne’s game against Richmond in Tasmania with a knee complaint.
Adelaide v St Kilda
8 – Matt Crouch (Adelaide)
8 – Josh Jenkins (Adelaide)
7 – Rory Sloane (Adelaide)
3 – Rory Laird (Adelaide)
2 – Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
1 – Jake Lever (Adelaide)
1 – Brodie Smith (Adelaide)
Round 11 Leaderboard
54 – Dan Hannebery (Sydney Swans)
47 – Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne)
46 – Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
45 – Rory Sloane (Adelaide)
44 – Joel Selwood (Geelong)
41 – Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne)
40 – Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
38 – Luke Parker (Sydney Swans)
38 – Luke Shuey (West Coast)
37 – Cam Guthrie (Geelong)
37 – Jack Viney (Melbourne)
Crows Leaderboard
45 – Rory Sloane
32 – Eddie Betts
22 – Josh Jenkins
20 – Tom Lynch
17 – Taylor Walker
16 – Brodie Smith
15 – Scott Thompson
9 – Luke Brown
8 - Matt Crouch
8 – Rory Laird
6 – Daniel Talia
4 – Charlie Cameron
3 – Rory Atkins
3 – Kyle Cheney
3 – Richard Douglas
1 – Kyle Hartigan
1 – Jake Lever
