Earlier in the week, there were questions as to whether inside midfielder Brad Crouch was physically ready to return to AFL football after two solid games in the SANFL.

Crouch put the debate to bed in the opening half of Adelaide’s 67-point win over Gold Coast, with 22 disposals to his name by half-time. The 23-year-old finished with 33 touches, including a game-high 17 contested possessions, to go with eight tackles in just 72.5 per cent of game time.

Although the North Ballarat product wasn’t as prolific in the second half, Crouch declared his body was feeling good immediately after the game.

“I’m feeling really fresh at the moment. I still got a lot of the pre-season in, which I haven’t had a lot of in the last couple of years so there’s a positive for me,” he said. 

“Building on the last couple of weeks in the SANFL and felt really fresh coming in today which is the main thing.”

The Crows won every quarter of the clash at Metricon Stadium, setting up the win with a seven-goal opening term to lead the Suns by 34 points at the first change.

Led by Eddie Betts and Tom Lynch (three goals each), Adelaide had 13 different goalkickers and an even contribution across the board on their way to another big score.

“As a team early on we tested them pretty well, we ran forward,” Crouch said.

“We were maybe overusing it a little bit at times as well, but when we did get it in deep enough into our forwards we gave them a good chance and we scored quite easily.

“That’s the other good thing. I don‘t think Eddie, Tex really fired compared to what they have been. We’ve got other players stepping up doing what they do. They’re still going to kick goals but it was good.”

Crouch was delighted to get the four premiership points for Crows veteran Richard Douglas, who played his 200th AFL game in the win over the Suns. 

“It’s awesome for ‘Dougy’. He’s a great team man, everyone knows that. He’s massively loved within the footy club,” Crouch said.

“It’s a huge effort to play 200 games, he’s been a great servant for the club so to get a win for him was great.”