Adelaide midfielder Brad Crouch is “very close” to accepting an offer from Gold Coast, according to Tim Watson.
Crouch, who is contracted at the Crows until the end of 2020, has been linked with a move to St Kilda with reports suggesting he is being shopped around by his management.
The 25-year-old averaged 30.3 disposals and 5.5 clearances per game in 2019, topping Adelaide’s Brownlow Medal count with 14 votes.
“Brad Crouch – very close to accepting a Gold Coast Suns offer. Very close to accepting,” Watson told SEN Breakfast.
“The Crows are trying extremely hard to keep him but if he does go then he will join Brandon Ellis (at Gold Coast).”
Watson also understands the Suns will take Oakleigh Chargers duo Matthew Rowell and Noah Anderson with the first two picks in this year’s draft.
The expansion club will look to immediately extend their contracts beyond their mandatory two-year deals.
“The Suns will get pick No.1 and 2. They will take (Noah) Anderson and (Matthew) Rowell, the highly touted midfielders,” Watson said.
“What they will do is they will try almost immediately to extend their two-year deals to four-year deals. This is all around trying to build some solidarity around the Gold Coast Suns.”
Gold Coast finished last on the ladder with just three wins, losing 18 consecutive matches.
More in AFL
“This time next year…”: Cornes’ bold pick for his next AFL head coach in waiting
“I think he is the most ready head coach in waiting.”
The emerging superstar the Saints cannot afford to lose
“I’m in love with the way he plays, when he gets the ball the game changes.”
Why Bombers gun is on free agency list
To the surprise of many, Essendon will have a fight on their hands to keep their ruckman.