Brad Crouch is ready for a massive 2019.
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The former Greater Western Victoria Rebel and and Beaufort Crow is hoping to build on a successful preseason after missing the entirety of the 2018 AFL season.
In a piece Crouch penned as part of the 'Players Voice' series on the AFL players website, Couch spoke of the frustration his shocking injury luck has caused him.
"There are players out there who are unlucky enough to do knees or a specific injury over and over again, but for me it has been a different part of my body each time," Crouch said.
Crouch's most recent injury issues originated in 2017, when a corked hip developed into something much more sinister.
Although the injury didn't hamper him in the 2017 grand final where he racked up 29 disposals and a goal, Crouch developed pubic instability.
After not playing across the first 12 weeks of the 2018 season, the decision to operate on the injury was made.
With the Crows sitting at an even six-and-six record, Crouch spoke of his frustration caused by his inability to help his team.
"With the expectation coming from 2017 and being so close to winning it all, it made it harder not being out there while we struggled."
To play just 61 games in five years is incredibly disappointing. People don’t understand, and supporters don’t understand how frustrating it can be to hear people saying, ‘He’s injured again!
- Adelaide Crows midfielder Brad Crouch
Now following a successful pre-season, Crouch is looking like his pre-injury self.
After 511 days, Crouch played his first game of competitive football in an Under-23 trial match against Port Adelaide.
After some initial nerves, Crouch was back to himself in the hit-out.
"I felt great out there, I've felt great all pre-season and I've had a lot of match practice already," he said.
He followed this up with two dominant performances in the 2019 JLT Community Series.
In Adelaide's two wins against Port Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney, Crouch amassed 60 disposals and a goal.
Crouch isn't setting his personal bar too high for the 2019 season, focusing on his health.
"Truth be told, I'm just happy to be fit again - as cliché as it sounds, I just want to keep focusing on the week ahead."
Crouch will have the opportunity to play in front of his hometown crowd when the Crows take on the Bulldogs at Mars Stadium in Round 23.
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