Crouch, who played for Ballarat, Beaufort, St Patrick’s College and North Ballarat Rebels as a junior, has relished the opportunity in the Crows’ midfield and become one of the elite ball-winners of the competition.

For a 22-year-old with just 69 games next to his name, to be selected alongside some of the league’s most decorated players seems to be ahead of schedule for many players’ careers. But Crouch’s rise in the game comes as no surprise to those who worked with him closely as a junior – Rebels talent manager Phil Partington and St Patrick’s College senior football coach Howard Clark.

When talking to both men, who had so much to do with Crouch’s development, two things stand out – his willingness to work hard and his football IQ.

“An amazing competitor and always has been...he just had this insatiable will to compete, when we talk about that competitiveness – he had it in bucket loads,” Clark said.

“He’s become really precise with his foot skills - Matt’s football IQ is elite.”

“To see his natural rise into a premier midfielder in the competition is very special, he’s a very determined young man and gets the very best out of himself every time he’s on the park,” Partington added.

“He’s got a very good football brain, for what he lacked in leg speed, he oozed in quickness of mind.”

The pair recall how much work Crouch put into improving his shortcomings. The ball magnet was never the quickest player on the park nor the most athletic, but he has made significant steps in those areas since being drafted with pick 23 in the 2013 AFL National Draft and now sits comfortably among the game’s best midfielders.

“There were a lot of people who doubted his athletic ability,” Partington said.

“I think it’s good that he’s now being recognised as among the elite midfielders in the competition.

“He’s transformed his body. He’s really worked on his weaknesses, which was his running...he’s become a very good runner and he’s become a real professional,” Clark said.

Crouch becomes the sixth Rebel with All-Australian honours and the fourth St Patrick’s College boy.