ADELAIDE'S Brad Crouch is bidding to become the AFL's next million-dollar man.

AFL.com.au has been informed Crouch's management is shopping the contracted midfielder's services to rival clubs, seeking a mega-offer of $5 million across five seasons.

Gold Coast, St Kilda and Geelong – in the knowledge Tim Kelly is poised to formally request a trade to West Coast – are among the interested parties.

The Crouch sales pitch comes despite his management's ongoing negotiations with the Crows about the possibility of an long-term extension to remain at West Lakes.

It's understood Crouch still harbours ambitions to stay at Adelaide but is demanding a new contract before the start of next season and could be forced to look elsewhere to make it happen.

The 25-year-old will become a free agent when his current deal expires at the end of 2020 and wants to cash in on a career-best year that has him favoured to win the club's best and fairest award.

The decision to open dialogue with other clubs while still seeking an extension at his existing home is an approach that has raised eyebrows across the competition.

Industry figures believe that if a resolution isn't met with the Crows in the next fortnight, Crouch could make rumblings of a move before the start of the Trade Period on October 7.

Brad Crouch and Britt Kennedy at the Brownlow Medal count on Monday night.



The lack of a senior coach has muddied the waters at the Crows, with Crouch keen to learn of the new appointment before his next move.

While he wouldn't receive seven figures per season at the Crows – and would be unlikely to reach it anywhere else – it's a starting point his management has raised.

Crouch averaged 30 disposals this season, playing all 22 matches after missing the entire 2018 campaign with osteitis pubis.

The Victorian this year departed the Hemisphere Management Group, where brother Matt remains, and moved to W Sports & Media. The Adelaide-based firm also manages the affairs of AFL players including Eddie Betts and Izak Rankine.

Crouch spent time in Queensland earlier this month on holidays but has not yet toured the Suns' facilities.

While the Suns are the most interested party, they will refuse to part with pick one should Crouch wish to explore his options.

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Pick two – a priority selection they're likely to receive from the AFL Commission – would also be another that is off the table as they anticipate pairing Oakleigh Chargers duo Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson at the top of the NAB AFL Draft.

The Suns are also expected to stand firm on their 2018 top-10 talls – South Australian Jack Lukosius and Victorian Ben King who are yet to extend their contracts beyond 2020.

Jack Lukosius is yet to sign a new deal with Gold Coast. Picture: AFL Photos



Crouch confirmed to radio FIVEaa in August that the Saints had contacted his management buta move to Moorabbin would appear unlikely given their interest in other trade targets and lack of picks.

The Saints are looking to bring in Fremantle's Bradley Hill, Port Adelaide's Paddy Ryder and St Kilda's Zak Jones and have met with Adelaide's Alex Keath.

Geelong is one of several other clubs monitoring the Crouch situation, with a decision from Kelly imminent.

Veterans Scott Selwood, Zac Smith and Lachie Henderson are also coming off healthy contracts and will open some spending money at GMHBA Stadium that was set aside for Todd Goldstein and Shaun Higgins before they opted to remain at Arden Street.

In data released in March, six players received more than $1 million for the 2018 season, a pool that was expected to grow to double figures this year.

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