Jared Crouch

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Jared Crouch (born 5 March 1978) is a South Australian Australian football player with the Sydney Swans of the AFL, who is colloquially known as “Crouchie” to Swans fans and media.

Having played for Norwood in the SANFL, he was selected by Sydney in the first round of the 1995 National Draft. He did not make his senior debut until 1998, when he was called up to play against Collingwood in round 7, having been originally selected as an emergency for that match. He played in every game for the rest of the season, earning a Rising Star Award nomination, and didn't miss a game in the subsequent seven years.

Crouch's first serious injury occurred in the first match of the 2004 International Rules series (played after the AFL season had ended), when he broke a shoulder and it looked like his unbroken run would come to an end. However, Crouch was fit to play in the first game of the 2005 AFL season, and played every game in Sydney's premiership-winning season. His run finally ended when he was unavailable for round 13 of the 2006 season. His 194 consecutive games from debut is an AFL record, and also places him fourth on the AFL list for consecutive games generally.

Crouch usually plays in the back pocket, where he has kept many well-known opponents quiet. His consistency and professionalism have seen him in the top 10 of the Swans' best and fairest count six years in a row, but his only recognition from outside the club has been selection in the International Rules team that played Ireland in 2003 and 2004.