Former AFL player Brad Crouch has returned to where it all began, signing with his junior club, the Ballarat Swans, for the 2026 season.
Crouch exited the AFL in peculiar circumstances at the end of 2024, having initially been delisted by St Kilda to be re-rookied, only to confirm his retirement months later.
The midfielder played 161 games for Adelaide and the Saints over 12 seasons, including a Malcolm Blight Medal in 2019. He also featured in the Crows' grand final team in 2017.
Following his retirement from AFL football, Crouch set sail for the local leagues, joining powerhouse Noble Park in the Eastern Football League as a playing-assistant coach. He played six games for the club.
Now, the 32-year-old will ply his trade at his former junior club, helping the Swans rise from a sixth-placed finish in 2025.
Crouch played with the club from 2002 to 2009.
"I have many fond memories of my time playing junior football with Ballarat, and I'm excited to wear the red & white jumper again," Crouch said to his new club.
"I'm looking forward to getting involved and hope that my experience can be of value to our playing group."
Senior coach Ash Baker acknowledges how significant the signing of Crouch will be for the Swans group, and knows what he'll add to the team on and off the field.
"We're really excited to have someone of Brad's calibre join our group," Baker said.
"His experience at the highest level, both on and off the field, will be invaluable for what is a relatively young playing group. He's someone who understands what it takes to prepare and perform, and we're looking forward to the influence he can have."
