ADELAIDE defender Ben Rutten has agreed to a new one-year deal with the Crows.



The 30-year-old, 211-game veteran, will play his 12th season for the club since being drafted with pick No. 40 in the 2002 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.



Rutten has played 17 games this season, conceding a goal a game in defence.



The club's second most experienced player said he felt fresh and, while he flagged a career in coaching once his playing days ended, he said there were a few of those to go yet.



"The way I feel physically and mentally throughout the year has been really good and I'm really enjoying my footy, so it was good to be able to work with the club," Rutten said.



The letdown in 2013 after finishing a kick away from a Grand Final last year also made the veteran's decision to continue easier.



The Crows finished last season in third place having just fallen short against Hawthorn in the preliminary final, but will miss the finals this year.



Rutten said disappointment and sense of unfinished business was driving him towards another pre-season.



"You get so close last year and things haven't gone out way this year - our form hasn't been great," he said.



"I'm really positive about the group we've got and think we can turn it around really quick – really keen to be a part of that.



"I just want to be a part of a successful footy club and I think we're not too far away."



He insisted it hadn't been all doom and gloom at West Lakes.



The Crows had played good football this season, particularly over the last month, and there was enough to suggest a rapid turnaround was achievable.



Rutten praised the development of the club's younger players including fellow defenders Rory Laird and Luke Brown.



"We've seen some great signs from our young guys; we've still got a good amount of experience in the team as well," he said.



"Lairdy, Browny … (Brodie) Smith and (Daniel) Talia both played their 50th games on the weekend; 'Otto' (Andy Otten) is probably only a 60-game player – there's some real youth, some real talent there."



Rutten said circumstances dictated that he had to play more football than he expected this year.



In an ideal world and with a team performing well above its current level, he said he would look to play fewer games in 2014.



"I expect that to happen, all things going well next year," he said.



"Looking at the future it's something we'll have to weigh up."



Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.

Up Next Best is yet to come: Gibbs Why not share? label.close Share This Article Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Copy link Link copied to clipboard Share Share this article