Former All-Australian Matt Crouch has announced his retirement after medical advice regarding hip issues.
The Adelaide Crows midfielder played 164 games since joining in 2013 with pick 23.
«To have played more than 160 games of AFL footy for this club is something I’ll forever be proud of,» he said in a statement.
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«I can sit here and point to the hip issues as the reason for retiring, and it of course factored in, but to be honest I feel really content and ready to move on to the next stage of my life.
Matt Crouch. AFL Photos via Getty Images
«I spent 12 years at the Crows. I got engaged, became a father, built lifelong friendships and made some of the best memories anyone can have.
«I leave extremely grateful for my time and excited to cheer on the boys for their run in September.»
Crouch has played only six games this season as the Crows head into the finals with a very real chance of winning the flag.
Over the last five years he’s struggled to put a full season together, playing only 39 games in total.
Crouch won the Malcolm Blight Medal for Adelaide’s best and fairest in 2017 but struggled to recapture that form once injuries played havoc.
In 2020 he had hip surgery and in 2025 those hip issues returned.
Crows head of football, Adam Kelly, described it as «sad» to see the 30-year-old’s career come to an end.
«Matt has always given his all to the club, both on and off the field,» Kelly said.
«He’s been a popular figure at West Lakes since he walked in the door back in 2013 and while it’s sad to see his AFL career come to an end, I sincerely hope he walks away extremely proud of what he has achieved.
«Proud of what he was achieving at the height of his career but maybe more so the way he responded in the later part of his career to fight for his spot in the team and then excel once more as an AFL midfielder.
«That is Matty’s legacy, that of a fierce competitor who wouldn’t back away from the contest. Matt, Ellie, Ava and Charlie – along with baby Crouch, who is due in October – will always be welcome at the Adelaide Football Club.»
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