ST KILDA has won the race for Adelaide restricted free agent Brad Crouch.
It can be revealed that the Saints have been told Crouch has chosen them, with an official announcement expected shortly.
The Crows will now wait to learn what St Kilda’s contract offer triggers when it comes to free agency compensation. Crouch was believed to have been chasing a five-year deal.
It’s understood St Kilda coach Brett Ratten has had multiple conversations with Crouch, where he painted an enticing picture of life at Moorabbin.
Crouch, 26, will slot into a Saints engine room alongside Jack Steele, Seb Ross, Dan Hannebery and the returning Jade Gresham, with Zak Jones and Bradley Hill offering speed on the outside.
Crouch, the Crows’ 2019 best and fairest, was last year chasing a five-year deal to stay at Adelaide Oval, but also exploring ways to leave.
There were talks with Gold Coast, but a move for the then-contracted on-baller failed to materialise given the Suns were determined to go to the draft.
Twelve months on, Crouch’s ill-fated night out with young teammate Tyson Stengle did little to dull the interest of rival clubs, with the Saints securing the ball-winner despite interest from as many as four other clubs including Geelong and Richmond.