The Adelaide Crows and St Kilda were considering a “side deal” involving another player in their negotiations over Brad Crouch before the AFL “got wind” of the plan and stopped it in its tracks, reports Caroline Wilson.
Caro told the FIVEAA sports show the deal would’ve increased the offer St Kilda made to Crouch, thus increasing the compensation Adelaide received for the restricted free agent.
“St Kilda was looking at off-loading Luke Dunstan,” Caro said. “Dunstan might go to Adelaide as part of a side deal that would free up a bit more money for Brad Crouch, which would mean St Kilda was happy, Adelaide was happy because it would lift the draft pick…
“This side deal was something that a few other clubs got wind of, might’ve mentioned it to the AFL… legal counsel Andrew Dillon oversees all of the trades – he got wind of it… St Kilda was told this is not going to happen so don’t even think about it.
“I don’t know who raised the idea first but I know that both clubs spoke about it and St Kilda thought that might be one way to free up a bit more space in their salary cap to pay Brad Crouch, which would’ve lifted his value and the rest is history…
“These deals have happened in the past. It’s not so easy to get them past the AFL anymore. How far it went I don’t know but St Kilda was told it’s not going to happen.
“Adelaide have been made to look like a bit of a laughing stock this week because they were so strong and firm… it might’ve looked a bit silly but in the end there was a bit more to this than meets the eye.”
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