St Kilda midfielder set to make surprise career call

In a curious turn of events, St Kilda midfielder Brad Crouch is reportedly set to announce his retirement from AFL just days after being re-listed as a rookie by the Saints in last week's draft.

The 30-year-old, plagued by a degenerative knee injury that has limited him to just one senior game in 2024, was the Saints' sole pick in the recent rookie draft. The move surprised many fans, leaving questions about the reasoning behind retaining a player whose AFL career was seemingly winding down.

Crouch, who played 161 AFL games across stints with Adelaide and St Kilda, is believed to have already transitioned into life after football. He has taken up a role as a sales executive in commercial real estate with Colliers and is set to join Noble Park as a non-playing assistant coach in 2025.

The Saints have yet to clarify the rationale behind re-listing Crouch, though head coach Ross Lyon hinted at his departure during a recent club event.

"Unfortunately, (Crouch) had a degenerative knee, and we would have loved to have him, but we lost him," Lyon said, acknowledging the tough decisions the club has faced.

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Re-listing Crouch allowed the Saints to maximise their picks in the AFL National Draft, where they secured several promising prospects, including Alix Tauru and Toby Travaglia as top-10 selections.

However, with Crouch expected to announce his retirement, as reported by Herald Sun writer Jon Ralph, St Kilda will have the flexibility to open a spot on their list for a potential train-on player or summer rookie.

Crouch joined St Kilda in 2021 on a four-year deal as a restricted free agent after 95 games with Adelaide. He played 65 games in his first three seasons at Moorabbin and was a prolific ball winner during that stretch, but injuries derailed his career this year, restricting him to five appearances at VFL level for Sandringham.

While the Saints delisted Crouch earlier this year with the intention of re-listing him in the rookie draft, the move has sparked speculation about their list management strategy. Some fans questioned why the club did not retain a young NGA academy player or other emerging talent instead.

Crouch's retirement would mark the end of a decade-long career, during which he showcased his talent as a tough inside midfielder for both the Crows and Saints.

As St Kilda prepares for the 2025 season, his departure will free up salary cap space and potentially pave the way for new opportunities within the squad.

An official announcement from Crouch and the Saints is expected in the coming days.

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