FORMER Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley is set to join Swan Districts in the WAFL next season if an AFL club does not recruit him as a delisted free agent or in the NAB AFL Draft.
The Dockers delisted Crowley last month after 188 games over 11 seasons at the club.
Crowley, Fremantle's 2012 best and fairest winner and a life member, did not attend the club's Doig Medal presentation night shortly after his delisting.
He admitted to being shocked by his delisting but he did not play any football in 2015 due to his 12-month ban for taking a prohibited substance late last season.
Crowley, 31, still believes he has something to offer at AFL level, but should he not get picked up by an AFL club he will join Swan Districts in the WAFL on a two-year deal that will see him play and coach the midfield group.
Swan Districts football manager Phil Smart, who had a previous relationship with Crowley as Fremantle's long-time recruiting manager, told AFL.com.au that Swan Districts were fully supportive of Crowley's desire to get another opportunity at AFL level.
"Ryan's priority at the moment is to get an opportunity back at AFL level," Smart said.
"Our deal is just subject to anything that may not happen at AFL level."
Crowley has previously tasted success at WAFL level.
He played in a WAFL premiership with Subiaco in 2004 alongside former Dockers teammate David Mundy and West Coast's Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis.
Smart said Crowley would bring a wealth of knowledge to Swan Districts as a player and coach.
Crowley spent part of the last season working as a midfield mentor at Fremantle while he was unable to play due to his suspension.
"It's a great opportunity for Swan Districts to have somebody of his experience join us," Smart said.
"He'll coach our midfield and also play, hopefully for at least a couple of years in a very senior role at the club.
"Somebody of his experience doesn't come along very often at our level.
"I think particularly the last 12 months when Ryan wasn't able to play, he's had to work side by side with a lot of these young boys that have been playing down at Peel Thunder (Fremantle's affiliate club) in the WAFL.
"I'm sure he's learnt a lot on how to mentor some of these young players along the way and that's obviously become a real passion of his over the last 12 months."
Swan Districts missed the WAFL finals on percentage in 2015 and Crowley's possible inclusion would be a major boost for the club.
