Crows defender Alex Keath has drawn the praise of Carlton legend Mark Maclure following his breakout start to the 2019 season.

Speaking on AFL 360, the four-time Premiership player said he took note of Keath’s performance against St Kilda on Saturday and described it as “fantastic”.

“I loved what he did,” Maclure said on Wednesday night.

“He’s played 18 games only, I watched his earlier ones and he was a bit fumbly.

“But gee whiz, he took 14 marks the other day.”

Maclure admitted he wasn’t originally sure if Keath could make it at AFL level, given the 27-year-old transitioned from professional cricket.

But after Keath’s first six games in 2019, Maclure said he was sold.

“He understands what he’s doing, he’s confident in where he’s going, he’s improving,” Maclure said.

“With Daniel Talia back there, that’s a pretty awesome bunch of tall backs.”

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AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson described Keath as “one out of a box”, in reference to his ability to switch codes.

Keath sits third in the competition for intercepts in 2019 (53), trailing only West Coast’s Shannon Hurn (55) and Hawthorn’s James Sicily (59).

Earlier this week, Crows co-captain Taylor Walker said Keath would be a lock for All Australian if the team was selected now.

“He’ll hate this because he hates praise,” Walker told Triple M’s Roo & Ditts on Tuesday morning.

“He’s in mine (All Australian team) now as well.

“He’s very, very humble.”