Matt Crouch during the AFL match between Essendon and Adelaide, Round 4, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media
Once a revered name at the Adelaide Crows, Matt Crouch has fallen out of favour with senior coach Matthew Nicks on multiple occasions this season, leading many to wonder whether or not he will remain at West Lakes beyond this year, despite being under contract for a further 12 months.
The North Ballarat product's best season came in the Crows' grand final campaign in 2017 when he averaged 33 disposals and 4.8 tackles per game, but has not been able to reach that elite level again since.
Reports have suggested the Malcolm Blight Medal winner is contemplating his future at West Lakes, with his time at the Crows potentially concluding with the 2022 season.
With that in mind, we examine five potential landing spots for the 27-year-old.
The eighth-placed Tigers are rumoured to be interested in GWS midfielders Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper, and the club also has links to youngster Tom Green, as his grandfather, Michael, was a four-time premiership Tiger.
However, in the case that Richmond misses out on all three Giants (assuming they pursue one or more of them this off-season), Crouch could present as a worthy contingency plan.
With uncertainty surrounding the future of superstar midfielder-forward Dustin Martin, and the growing likelihood that ex-skipper Trent Cotchin and veteran Shane Edwards hang up the boots at season's end, Crouch could provide the Tigers with a much-needed senior presence as well as his ball-winning abilities.
With Crouch under contract next season, a trade would need to be orchestrated between Adelaide and Richmond.
The Tigers currently possess two second-round selections, with the later pick likely to be the necessary compensation for the 2017 All-Australian's services.
While the 2022 season has unfolded as the best of Stuart Dew's coaching career, the Suns are unlikely to participate in September action and arguably still lack a strong veteran presence and finals experience outside of ageing wingman Brandon Ellis.
Gold Coast's core midfield group of Touk Miller, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell are firmly in-tact, but Crouch could act as solid inside depth or even shift outside to play on a wing.
A move north might reignite Crouch's career and may well be the midfielder's best chance at participating in finals action once more before his career is over.
The Suns presently hold three second-round picks, with one of their two later selections likely holding the key to a potential trade agreement between the two sides.
The Cats have a well-known knack for snatching up seasoned players and re-purposing them to fit Chris Scott's style - Shaun Higgins, Luke Dahlhaus and Isaac Smith are a few recent examples - could Crouch become the next?
With Joel Selwood seemingly edging closer to retirement and Patrick Dangerfield seemingly reached his peak already, the Cats may look to pursue Crouch as added midfield depth alongside their core group of Dangerfield, Selwood, Cam Guthrie, Mark Blicavs, Smith and Sam Menegola.
The Cats are understood to be in pursuit of ready-made midfielders, with the likes of Angus Brayshaw, Jordan De Goey and Tim Taranto believed to be in their sights, but are no guarantee to acquire any of the aforementioned trio.
Geelong currently has a late second-rounder at its disposal if they wish to deal for the contracted Crouch at the conclusion of this season.
The Bombers boast a core engine-room group of Darcy Parish, Zach Merrett and Dylan Shiel, but would surely be bolstered by the likes of Crouch, who not only adds depth but also positional flexibility, especially with Andy McGrath seemingly settled on a half-back flank.
It is public knowledge that Bombers list boss Adrian Dodoro has been keen on Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley in recent years, however, with the chances of a move to The Hangar for Dunkley decreasing by the week, could Essendon's dealer look towards orchestrating a trade for Crouch?
Essendon is also reportedly interested in acquiring the services of GWS' Taranto, with Crouch again presenting as an ample backup option if that reported pursuit was to falter.
The Bombers currently hold an early third-round pick that they may look to offload in a potential trade agreement for Crouch.
Moorabbin may be the most realistic landing spot of the bunch for Crouch, especially if St Kilda do not opt to pursue Collingwood midfielder Jordan De Goey this off-season.
At this point in his career, Crouch would by no means be a game-changer for the Saints (compared to the likes of De Goey), but he would represent an upgrade in overall midfield depth.
Crouch's brother, Brad, is currently a core member of St Kilda's midfield, so his presence alone may tempt a move for both sides.
The Saints presently hold a mid-second-round selection that they likely will not be keen on dishing out in any potential trade for Crouch, with list boss James Gallagher more likely to offload the club's sole third-rounder.