What He Will Bring - Hayden Crozier

The second fresh face of the off-season arrived at the Western Bulldogs on Friday afternoon when the club secured the services of former Fremantle player Hayden Crozier. Crozier had been linked with a move to the Bulldogs for much of the trade period, and the deal was confirmed yesterday, with a plethora of draft picks also being exchanged in the deal.

THE TRADE:

Western Bulldogs Receive:

Hayden Crozier 2018 fourth-round draft pick

Fremantle Receive:

Pick 40

Pick 82

WHAT WE SAID:

“Hayden’s got a great athletic profile, which will allow us the flexibility to play him back, forward or wing, with his aerial game a particular strength. We see him primarily at half back which, with the retirements of Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd this season, will help our defence transition in 2018 and beyond." - Western Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney

2017 SEASON:

Hayden Crozier's 2017 Season was solid, averaging 12.6 disposals per game whilst being used in multiple roles across half-forward and half-back. He also provided adequate pressure, averaging just under four tackles a game, but also contribute on the scoreboard with 13.17 for the year. His best performance, ironically, came against the Bulldogs in Round 3, where he recorded 20 disposals and two goals as the Dockers secured a narrow win. Despite the positives, Crozier failed to finish inside the top-10 of the Dockers best-and-fairest count, despite playing 19 games.

WHAT WILL HE BRING?

Crozier follows suit with the Bulldogs recent desire to recruit players that can compete in multiple positions. Despite the fact that his overall numbers aren't particularly high, there's no doubt he's been targeted for a specific purpose, and the Dogs will hope he can fulfill that role next season. It was interesting to hear Jason McCartney refer to the retirements of Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd when speaking of Crozier, alluding to the fact that Crozier himself may play predominantly across half-back next season.

Whilst many believed that he would fill the gap left by the expected-to-be-departing Jake Stringer, the Dogs appear to have other ideas and intend to use Crozier off the half-back flank. What we do know about Crozier is that he flying high and taking marks. His most recent entry in the Mark of the Year discussions was against GWS earlier this year when he soared over the top of the 206cm Rory Lobb:

However, due to the fact that he has been used in a variety of roles by the Dockers and due to the fact that his numbers haven't been particularly high during his time at Fremantle, it's hard to pinpoint exactly what role he will likely play for us next year. But judging by McCartney's comments, don't be surprised to see him across half-back for most of the season, and with Luke Beveridge's habit of getting the most out of his players, we could very well see him thrive in new club surroundings.

DID YOU KNOW?

Hayden Crozier almost became a Bulldog six years ago? Chief recruiter Simon Dalrymple was tempted to draft him with the Bulldogs first-round pick in the 2011 National Draft, before instead opting for hard-nut Clay Smith instead. Smith went on to write his name into Bulldog folklore, with a blistering performance in the 2016 Preliminary Final win against the Giants, only to become a Premiership player one week later.