Worst thing is that Caldwell was set on coming to us before Crouch nominated us and he realised that the midfield time we promised him might not come to fruition
Again I say, it up to Battle. It might be about money if we gave him an extra 500k per year, but it most likely is not, and he wants to go.
**** me I do all the heavy lifting in here.
Crouch future in balance as Saints consider another Shiel bid
11:31 PM · Jul 5, 2024
Dylan Shiel is back on St Kilda’s radar after being the subject of trade interest last year, with the interest coming as Brad Crouch’s AFL future is under a serious cloud.
Crouch, 30, has played only one senior game (in Round 2) and five VFL matches this year due to ongoing knee pain, which kept him off the training track again on Tuesday.
Crouch has bravely tried to play on with heavy strapping around his left knee at times in the VFL this season, gathering 27, 31, 33 and 38 disposals for Sandringham in his appearances across May-June. But he has had trouble training over the past month and may be physically unable to play on at the top level next year, pending more medical checks and discussions with St Kilda officials.
Brad Crouch’s career is in doubt. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Crouch, who arrived as a free agent from Adelaide in 2020, has one more year to run on his five-year contract. But the lingering knee issue could force the workhorse to wind up his AFL career early as part of an agreement with the club at season’s end.
It comes as St Kilda weigh-up whether to make another play for Essendon onballer Dylan Shiel ahead of the Saints’ clash against the Bombers at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
The Saints are expected to continue their aggressive list turnover this year in a bid to bring more top-line talent into the club. In particular, the Saints want to replenish the midfield brigade with some more explosive ball-winners over the next two years.
Dylan Shiel is back on St Kilda’s radar. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Shiel, 31, has made an encouraging return to AFL level averaging 25 disposals over his last three games, and would add another respected leader to the Saints’ core after meeting with him last year about a potential move.
The Bombers are facing a selection squeeze in the midfield with superstar Darcy Parish set to return from his latest soft tissue injury possibly through the VFL this weekend, while first-round picks Ben Hobbs and Elijah Tsatas also wait in the wings.
Shiel, 31, has shown he still has a nice burst despite ankle and foot trouble in recent years, and could help add some speed and power to the Saints’ setup for next year, with one more year remaining on his contract at Essendon.
Paddy Dow is set to return in round 20. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Saints’ midfielder Paddy Dow could make his return to AFL level for the clash against Essendon after a sizzling 32 disposals and 11 clearances in the VFL at the weekend to help replace injured playmaker Liam Henry.
Crouch’s predicament is a tough situation for a man who has become a popular team member and reliable midfielder at the Saints, playing at least 20 games in each of his first three seasons at Moorabbin. He finished fifth, sixth and sixth in St Kilda’s club champion awards in those campaigns after taking out Adelaide’s best and fairest in 2019.
Crouch has been lauded for his consistency and effort in the Saints’ on-ball department after returning home to Victoria in the middle of Covid-19.
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The Saints have thrown their full support behind the Ballarat product in a bid to try and overcome his knee issue following arthroscopic surgery on March 25.
He played his last game in the VFL on June 8 and hobbled from the training track midway through a session the following week in what could have been the final blow for the hard ball-winner. He has strong business interests off the field after partnering with Callum Wilkie on a freight venture.
The Saints are also at risk of losing gun defender Josh Battle to a big-money free agency offer from Hawthorn. Mobile marking forward Tim Membrey is also yet to sign a new deal after a brilliant five-goal haul in a thumping 72-point win over West Coast on Saturday.
Who? Hypothetical midfield grunt is fine.
Yeah I think this is the more accurate version. There were zero rumours about us going for Crouch until Caldwell wasn’t coming. I’m guessing we didn’t want to end up empty handed from the trade/FA period.
With Shiel, why not go after someone like Will Brodie who likely offers more in the long term?
Maybe they will.
I'd prefer James Peatling for likely a similar price
I'm talking more as an experienced M/F to support Steele & replace Crouch/Ross, peatling looks ok but he's still only 23 with a handful of games + he's a Sydney local
Does he though?
Which is clearly what’s happening.
Are they options again? If so why worry about something that happened a decade ago?
