AFL veteran Brad Crouch likely to retire due to degenerative knee injury

St Kilda veteran Brad Crouch may have played his last AFL game and appears to have already found a new job.

Crouch played just one senior match this year — in Round 1 — before spending time in the VFL due to a persistent knee injury.

The 30-year-old has a contract for next season, but 7NEWS reporter Mitch Cleary said Crouch is still in talks with the club over a possible payout.

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“Brad Crouch has probably played his last AFL game,” Cleary said.

“Is struggling with a degenerative knee injury and I understand discussions are underway with the Saints regarding a potential payout on his contract for 2025.”

Cleary also said Crouch “appears to have started a new job” as an executive at asset manager Colliers.

“We are delighted to welcome Brad Crouch to the Melbourne North West Industrial & Logistics team in the role of Executive,” a short biography reads.

“Brad has had a great career in the AFL for the Adelaide and St Kilda Football Clubs and has always had a keen interest in real estate. He is currently spending some of his spare time broadening his skills in the commercial real estate sector in preparation for his new role.

“Brad is a valuable addition to Industrial & Logistics and we look forward to welcoming him to the North West Team.”

Crouch’s retirement will bring an end to a career that spanned 161 games.

He joined Adelaide via the mini-draft in 2011 and played 95 games for the club.

He missed the entire 2018 season with groin injuries, but recovered in 2019 to win the Best and Fairest Player award.

Crouch joined St Kilda as a free agent in late 2020 and quickly developed into one of the Saints’ best players, winning the 2022 tournament best and fairest award.

St Kilda face a busy off-season with Seb Ross and Riley Bonner among the five players already delisted, while veteran Tim Membrey remains uncertain.

The Saints are reportedly the front-runners to sign Western Bulldogs veteran Jackson Macrae.