Crows' rebuild receives major boost

2 years ago 269

Adelaide's rebuild has taken a large measurement guardant with midfielder Ben Keays agreeing to a two-year declaration extension.

Keays, who was nether declaration for 1 much season, volition present stay with the Crows until the extremity of 2024.

After helium was delisted by Brisbane astatine the extremity of 2019, Keays was handed an AFL lifeline past play earlier rapidly emerging arsenic a captious portion of manager Matthew Nicks' rebuild by finishing 5th successful Adelaide's nine champion award.

The 24-year-old midfielder backed up his breakout play past twelvemonth by going adjacent amended successful 2021 to decorativeness runner-up this twelvemonth to Rory Laird for the Malcolm Blight Medal.

Keays fell abbreviated of the nine champion grant by conscionable 3 votes.

"Ben arrived astatine the nine with the close cognition of wanting to enactment hard and gain his spot successful the squad and that's been evident successful the shot helium has played," Adelaide database manager Justin Reid said.

"He has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches which has been recognised successful best-and-fairest voting successful some seasons he's been with america and the betterment helium has shown makes america excited for what's inactive to come.

"He's reliable, works hard and we are precise pleased that helium has recommitted to the nine until astatine slightest the extremity of 2024."

Keays averaged 28 disposals and played successful each crippled for the nine this season.

The Crows haven't played finals shot since 2017 erstwhile they went down to Richmond successful the AFL Grand Final that season.

No jab, nary play regularisation for AFL players

In different AFL signing news, Collingwood's Mason Cox signed a caller one-year deal earlier today.

"We are pleased to beryllium successful a presumption to clasp Mason for different season," Collingwood wide manager of shot Graham Wright said.

"We cognize Mason tin play a fig of roles for us. Players susceptible successful the ruck and up guardant connection large versatility to a team."

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