To add to the excitement after watching his clips and highlights from the National Champs have a look at how he tested athletically. Crowden tested at the SA State Combine (apparently he was very annoyed to get an invite to the National Combine after the year he had) rather than National Combine, but his results were amazing in terms of his overall athletic profile.
20m Sprint: 2.92 seconds - Would have been 6th at the national combine - Faster than Stephenson
Standing Vertical Jump: 81cm - Would have been 3rd at the national combine.
Running Vertical Jump: 91cm - Would have been 7th at the national combine.
Agility Test: 8.26 seconds - Would have been 7th at the nation combine.
Yo-Yo Test: 21.3 level - Which is in the top echelon - Not too far of Brayshaw's Yo-Yo of 22.4
His massive leap means his height is nearly irrelevant as he can play on taller players without being exposed in the air even if he is next to his man in a marking contest with no run up.
In terms of the year he had on the field it sounds like he outshone plenty of the top draftees in terms of performance.
Crowden played as a half forward at league level and showed good defensive pressure with 12 tackles against the Adelaide Crows on his debut.
Crowden was also a key member of the South Australian state side, averaging 23 disposals per game as an onballer. (more than Dow, Cerra and Brayshaw)
The 18-year-old played his best game against Victoria Country where he had 28 disposals, four clearances, six tackles, five inside 50s, kicked 1.2, three score assists and eight score involvements.
Seriously think he will be the steal of the draft. Will probably start his career as a forward and move into the midfield later on. Reminds me of a mix between Stuart Dew (left foot kick) Ballantyne (speed and tackling) and Garry Moorcroft. (leaping ability for a small man).
