Crows closer to uniting Crouch brothers

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ADELAIDE could be on the verge of unleashing the Crouch brothers, Brad and Matt, together for the first time against Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

The Victorian-born siblings who are aged just 15 months apart will be the first brothers to play together for the Crows since the Jarmans in the mid-'90s, if 19-year-old Matt is a last-minute replacement for midfielder Scott Thompson, who remains under an injury cloud.

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Crows coach Brenton Sanderson on Thursday said Matt — who had 42 disposals and 13 clearances in the SANFL last week — was an ideal replacement for Thompson should he not recover from a hamstring injury in time to face the Hawks tonight.

The Crouch brothers have been hailed as a key pillar of Adelaide's future after they were both drafted from TAC Cup side North Ballarat.

Crows brothers Brad and Matt Crouch could play together for the first time at AFL level against Hawthorn, if Scott Thompson is ruled unfit. Picture: Mike Burton.

Rebels coach David Loader watched both of them pass through his under-18 team but he still rues the fact that he never got to see them play together.

It would have happened in 2012 had Brad not been snapped up by the Crows as one of two 17-year-olds along with Jaeger O'Meara pre-selected by an AFL club before their time.

"It would have been phenomenal for us," Loader said.

"We went within a kick of winning the competition without Brad playing (in 2012) so you put him in the side and think 'gee maybe that might have been enough to get us over the line'.

"But I think we're all looking forward to seeing them play together at AFL level.

"And even more so when their bodies develop and they've got some real experience at AFL level, pity the side that comes up against the Crouch boys in full flight.

Brad Crouch in action for North Ballarat, the last time he played in a team with his brother.

"In AFL terms, Brad is really young and Matt's a baby so in four or five years time they're going to be a tough package."

Although they played their first senior game together in the SANFL last month, tonight could mark their first appearance together at AFL level.

Brad, 20, was on Thursday night named to start on the ball while Matt was listed as an emergency for Thompson who will be given until the 11th hour to prove his fitness.

Loader has known the Crouch family ever since he played against the boys' father Phil in the Mininera Football League in country Victoria in the 1990s.

Almost two decades later he found himself coaching Phil's sons in the TAC Cup which was their stepping stone to AFL football.

"He (Phil) was a great player, he was as tough as nails and one of those blokes who would belt the suitcase out of you on the field then be the first one to come and have a drink with you after the game," Loader said.

The Cannons' Jake Lever spoils against North Ballarat's Matt Crouch in a match last year.

"So it was great when the boys came along and the apple didn't fall far from the tree with the competitive side of things which is a characteristic we love when the boys play.

"They're similar in they're both really competitive, they love the challenge, they're both extremely brave on the footy field and they play the game because they love playing footy."

Loader remembers both Brad and Matt as outstanding TAC Cup players.

"In Brad's bottom age (year) he broke his leg and missed about eight games," Loader said.

"We brought him back for the first final and just the impact he was able to have against really good quality opposition.

"I remember him running out on a half forward flank, picking up the ball under enormous pressure and handballing it 30 metres to a running player inside 50 and the guy never broke stride.

"I'd never seen anyone do that and be that clean, apart from perhaps Greg Williams, he was an exceptionally talented player.

"And Matt's stoppage work was second to none, in the two years we had Matt in our system, there was no one better at the stoppage.

"It didn't matter which ruckman was winning it, it ended up in Matt's hands."

While Brad joined Adelaide in 2012, Matt followed suit in November last year when the Crows swooped with Pick No. 23.

When he arrived at the club, Matt's new teammates nicknamed him 'Bob', which stood for brother of Brad.

But the teenager quickly made a name for himself and although he hasn't cemented his spot in the side after seven games this season, going back to the SANFL and dominating with 42 disposals and 13 clearances is just as impressive.

Speaking in the lead-up to Round 1 of this season when Brad played against Geelong and Matt was an emergency, Crows forward Jason Porplyzia described the younger Crouch sibling as "exceptional".

"He's a really clean player and a great decision maker for a young guy. He's going to be a really good player for this club for a long time and it will be great to see him get a chance."

Brad meanwhile described their brotherly rivalry growing up in their Ballarat backyard as typically competitive.

"We just always want to win," Brad said.

"We always have been, like most brothers I guess."

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