ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 11: Alex Keath of the Crows handballs during the round eight AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on May 11, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Adelaide key defender Alex Keath is in career best form and a return home could be on the cards. Enjoying a nice run of form, he is third in the comp for intercept possessions, accumulating 18 touches and over six marks a game with the defender having played a key role in Adelaide returning to the top six on the ladder.

The Crows are keen to hold onto the former Victorian state cricketer with Keath featuring in all games this season but the 2019 showdown medalist has Victorian clubs swooping.

Reports from Foxfooty.com.au understand Melbourne is keen on exploring the possibility of strengthening their defense by adding the 28-year-old Crow. With senior members of the Demons' backline having rarely played due to injuries, form and off-field incidents, Melbourne holds the worst defensive record in the league.

The Dees are significantly closer to another wooden spoon than a back-to-back finals appearance and with a red-hot Fremantle and Brisbane at the Gabba in the next two games, their 3-9 record is realistically looking at 3-11 with eight games to play. Finals are almost out of the picture and building on their squad depth holds a priority for the Demons.

Keath coming home could also benefit the freedom of the Demons' defence and the mature age prospect could add an extra voice in their struggling backline. Both St Kilda and North Melbourne were interested in Keath when Adelaide picked him up in 2015, so competition for his services is likely to increase as the season unfolds.

Keath is out of contract in 2020 and Adelaide will need to make a significant offer believed in excess of half a million dollars to retain his services. Only time will tell but the rise of the key defender has been a pleasure for fans and multi-sport lovers alike, and looks to continue in the near future.