New recruit Matt Crouch says he’s “over the moon” to be joining older brother Brad at the Crows.

The Crouch family, minus Brad in Adelaide, watched the draft on television at home in Ballarat.

Everyone in the Crouch household had their fingers crossed that 18-year-old Matt would slip through to Adelaide’s first pick at No.23. And when he did, Crows National Recruiting Manager Hamish Ogilvie couldn’t call the inside midfielder’s name quick enough.

“It’s unbelievable – the best feeling ever,” an elated Crouch told afc.com.au.

“It all just happened so quick that I didn’t really have time to think about it. I knew when it got to Brisbane’s pick at No.22 that I might be a chance to go there, but I was hoping to slide through to Adelaide and I did.

“Deep down, Adelaide is where I wanted to go. I’ve always wanted to play with Brad, so when I heard my name called at pick No.23 I was over the moon.”

The Crows have developed a good relationship with the Crouch family since selecting Brad in the GWS ‘mini-draft’ at the end of 2011. But Matt said the Club played its cards close to its chest when it came to whether or not they would select him in the draft.

“The Crows never made any promises,” he said.

“They said if I was there at No.23 that I’d be considered, but I never had any guarantee.”

It won’t be the first time the talented brothers, who are only 15 months apart in age, have played on the same team. They played a bit of school and also junior footy together for the Ballarat Swans in their early-teenage years. But Matt said it would be a proud moment when they lined up together for the Crows in the AFL.

“It’ll mean a fair bit to run out alongside Brad one day,” he said.

“It’ll be very exciting and I can’t wait to do it, but I’ve got some hard work to do before that happens.”

A North Melbourne supporter growing up, Crouch switched allegiances to Adelaide (to an extent) when Brad was recruited by the Crows. The prolific left-footer was in Europe with the AIS-AFL Academy when Brad made his AFL debut against Brisbane at the Gabba in Round Two, waking up at the crack of dawn to follow his sibling’s progress on Twitter.

“After Brad was recruited, I found myself watching Adelaide the most of any team and supporting them,” he said.

“It was good to see Brad play and play well this year. It gives me confidence that if we can do it then, maybe, I can one day too.”

Regarded as the best stoppage player in this year’s draft talent pool, Crouch is a contested ball king.

In seven games for the struggling North Ballarat TAC Cup side, the 180cm, 78kg, midfielder averaged 37 disposals (16 contested), seven clearances and five tackles.

His biggest area for improvement is his endurance, which he aims to improve over a couple of AFL pre-seasons. A talented wicket-keeper/batsman (Brad is also a good fast bowler), Crouch’s summer cricket commitments prevented him from doing a full pre-season during his junior football career.

“I’ve never really done a full pre-season, so hopefully I can get stuck into training in Adelaide and improve that side of my game,” he said.

“After a couple of pre-seasons, I’m sure I can improve. Hopefully, I can start building on it this summer and one day become a pretty good runner.

“I can’t wait to do the work and get better.”

Crouch’s parents and girlfriend are also “rapt” Matt and Brad will be reunited in Adelaide.

“It makes it easier for mum and dad. It would’ve been hard really hard for them, especially if I’d gone to another interstate club. Now they only have to travel to one place,” Matt said.

An avid fan of Crouch, coach Brenton Sanderson is also thrilled to have the tough onballer onboard.

In a pre-draft radio interview, Sanderson joked he would "have a party" at his house if the younger Crouch brother was available at Adelaide’s first pick.

“I didn’t know Sando was going to have a party … I didn’t know he was that excited,” Matt said with a laugh.

“I had a quick chat to Sando on the phone before. I can’t wait to start working with him and the other coaches.”

Crouch will fly to Adelaide on Sunday and start training with his new teammates on Monday.

“I’ve got to know Adelaide pretty well since Brad’s been over there, so hopefully that will hold me in good stead,” he said.

“I just can’t wait to get stuck into training.”

The Crouch brothers are onboard. Are you? Visit 19thman.com.au or phone the Member Service Centre on (08) 8440 6666 to learn more about 2014 membership