After a year on the sidelines nursing a groin injury, Brad Crouch is thrilled to be back on the football field.

But with all that time away from the game, things weren’t always easy for the star midfielder.

“There were times throughout my rehab when I was really worried for my body,” Crouch told the The Crows Show.

“(I wondered if) in 10 or 15 years time, will I be able to run or go for a hit of golf with my mates.

I literally thought if something doesn’t change soon, that I won’t be able to do things I always wanted to do.

After a successful pre-season, barring a minor foot injury in January, Crouch made his return in the Crows’ Round One loss to Hawthorn.

“It was good to be back out there, I felt really good and was just disappointed we didn’t get the right result,” Crouch said.

“The day of the game I was quite anxious, which I wasn’t like in the practice games.

“Once I did get out there, it didn’t phase me too much.”

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Outside of his rehab and study, Crouch found a new hobby to focus on: golf.

“I took it up in October and have been playing with a bunch of the boys here,” he said.

“I played on the weekend with Tex and Matt (Crouch), Tex won.”

Crouch had high praise for coach Don Pyke, describing him as the best golfer from the club “by a mile”, but couldn’t help but jokingly jab at brother Matt.

“I reckon Matt is the worst, his improvement isn’t going that well to be honest,” Crouch said while smiling.

For the full interviews and more behind-the-scenes insights tune in to Channel Seven at 11pm on Friday for The Crows Show, brought to you by Optus, following Footy Plus.

The show will then be available on afc.com.au and the Crows app.