Before football, Matt Crouch was a talented cricketer alongside older brother Brad. Prior to being drafted, the tough midfielder dominated the TAC Cup in 2013 and represented Vic Country in the Under-18 National Championships. Despite being eligible for the 2012 mini-draft, Crouch opted for the traditional way into an AFL Club. In 2015, Crouch averaged 21 disposals in his 17 games, before cementing his spot in the midfield in 2016. The left-footer broke records in 2017, averaging 33 disposals per game at a then-record 825 disposals for the season. That year, he won the Malcolm Blight Medal and was selected in the All Australian team. The midfielder's good form continued through 2018, he averaged 32 touches. The next season Crouch brought up his 100-game milestone in the Round 13 win over Richmond. He racked up more possessions, averaging 32.6 disposals, 3.4 tackles, 4.9 clearances and 11.4 contested possessions per game. The icing on the cake was a career-best 47 disposals against Western Bulldogs in Round 23, topping his former best of 46. No Crow averaged more disposals and his 32.6 ranked third highest in the AFL. He polled eight Brownlow votes, taking his career tally to 34.