There's been a fair bit of media discussion around Crows defender Alex Keath this year, but there's another mature-age pro-sport-hopper at the Crows who I think is the more remarkable story: Hugh Greenwood.
Since debuting in early 2017 at 25 years of age, Greenwood's career has been on a steady upward trajectory, as captured here by the AFL Player Ratings.
The guy is a contested beast, consistently producing quality numbers in contested possessions, tackles, clearances, etc in a side that already has Sloane and Matt Crouch in the middle.
He also manages to kick goals at about the same rate as more celebrated goal-kicking mids.
But it's the quality of his footy that marks him out. He's a genuine class player, winning tough possessions, using the ball well, and kicking difficult goals - hence his good performance in the AFL Player Ratings.
Question is: what's his ceiling? He's already 27, but only four and half years into his senior footy career. I think there's probably 1-2 seasons of continued improvement there, injury permitting. I think there's a chance he could pull out an All-Australian season (or at least the AA squad) before he's done. For a guy that only switched back to playing professional footy at 24, that's a big achievement.
Close to the most underrated player in the competition, for mine.
Since debuting in early 2017 at 25 years of age, Greenwood's career has been on a steady upward trajectory, as captured here by the AFL Player Ratings.
The guy is a contested beast, consistently producing quality numbers in contested possessions, tackles, clearances, etc in a side that already has Sloane and Matt Crouch in the middle.
He also manages to kick goals at about the same rate as more celebrated goal-kicking mids.
But it's the quality of his footy that marks him out. He's a genuine class player, winning tough possessions, using the ball well, and kicking difficult goals - hence his good performance in the AFL Player Ratings.
Question is: what's his ceiling? He's already 27, but only four and half years into his senior footy career. I think there's probably 1-2 seasons of continued improvement there, injury permitting. I think there's a chance he could pull out an All-Australian season (or at least the AA squad) before he's done. For a guy that only switched back to playing professional footy at 24, that's a big achievement.
Close to the most underrated player in the competition, for mine.