The Kreuzer FA Option was kind of Win-Win.
If he stays and plays most matches for the next three years - CFC has a massive WIN
If he had of left, and CFC got pick #2, then CFC lost a Champ but potentially would gain another long term Champ = WIN.
Very happy he is staying, Champions are aways hard to find.
I kind of agree with what you are saying with two slight modifications. First, we are in serious rebuild. Any player contracted to play for us needs to be viewed from that perspective. Kreuzer will be important to us in rebuild because he is a quality ruckman/forward who we can hope will be playing for us into his 30s. He has plenty of time to contribute to our next flag.
So it is not that he plays most matches in the next 3 years but rather that he has the ability to contribute to the team after 2018 that matters. Also, there is no doubt he is inspirational on the field and will be exemplary for younger players to follow.
Secondly, I am doubtful we would have got pick 2. But had we got pick 2 there is equally no doubt we should then have been able to pick a player who could contribute to the team after 2018.