At the end of last season, Crows defender Mark Keane had a big decision to make. 

The Irishman had just produced a career-best campaign, playing 21 games and solidifying himself as a key pillar in Adelaide’s’ defence.

As a result, the 25-year-old was courted heavily by his former team Collingwood, and had to decide whether he saw his future in Adelaide or if he was best suited to life across the border. 

Speaking on this week’s episode of The Crows Show, Keane revealed how asking himself one simple question led him to committing his future to Adelaide.

“I have a lot of friends and stuff in Melbourne, but I asked myself what’s the reason I’m here - and that is to play AFL, so that’s the reason why I stayed in Adelaide,” Keane said.

“I feel living here gives me the best chance to play at a high level.

“It’s a great city to live in, the people here in Adelaide are absolutely unbelievable and the group we have here at the Club is really promising as well. 

“It was a no-brainer to sign on and stay here, I think I've really started to find my groove over the off-season, and hopefully that can translate into me playing consistent footy all season.”

Although Keane finds himself thousands of kilometres away from his Irish home, he has been able to replicate bits of previous life thanks to teammate and housemate Karl Gallagher.

He explained how living with his countryman had helped him stay refreshed.

“Karl and I watch Gaelic football and hurling every week, we’ll watch all the games and then reflect on them together come Monday,” Keane said.

“It’s great to have him there to chat about sport back at home, as over here there isn’t really anyone I can chat to about it, and you do start to miss it.

“I’m also trying to teach Karl how to play Hurling which has been fun, and it’s a good way to take the mind off AFL and recharge the battery a bit.”

Catch The Crows Show on Channel 7 Adelaide this Sunday at 11am.