Yet in September 2011, he barely rated a mention.
Crowley was drafted to Fremantle in 2002 with pick No.55, delisted and re-drafted as a rookie at the end of 2004 and finally made his debut for the Dockers in 2005. He finished fifth in the best and fairest in 2008, missed most of 2009 with a serious foot injury, and by 2011, he was staring at the end of his career at the Dockers.
"I was sort of looking to maybe get traded or moved along, you could consider that a turning point," Crowley said earlier this year.
"I never really wanted to leave and I'm just glad that that didn't happen.
"Once Ross (Lyon) walked through the door he gave me real confidence I was going to be around and there was going to be a role for me."
The AFL's most talked-about tagger was born.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon takes no credit for Crowley's transformation, despite the fact he went from being trade bait in 2011 to the Dockers' club champion in 2012.
"He took responsibility, got himself fit and lean and mentally hungry and was given a role he's really capable of doing, so it's all credit to Ryan really for turning himself around," Lyon said earlier this year.
Crowley's teammates love him almost as much as the elite players in the competition hate him. All Australian defender Michael Johnson was gushing with his praise for Crowley after the latter's performance on Sydney Swans co-captain Kieren Jack in the preliminary final.
"He’s fantastic," Johnson said.
"He’s a tremendous player. He’s fantastic with his effort tagging the elite players in the competition.
"You can go into the game knowing that 'Crowls' will do his job for the team."
Crowley's performances on some of the AFL's best midfielders over his past three matches have been astounding. In 90 minutes manning Jack last Saturday night, he kept the All Australian to just eight possessions. Jack finished with just 11 touches for the night. He averaged 26 per game for the season and more than a goal a match.
In the qualifying final, Crowley started the day on Geelong's Mathew Stokes but was moved onto Steve Johnson after quarter-time. Johnson had nine disposals and two goals in the first term. Crowley kept him to just seven touches in the next 67 minutes.
In round 22 against Port Adelaide, Crowley spent 86 minutes marking All Australian midfielder Travis Boak. The Port captain gathered just 13 possessions in that period.
Lyon believes there are no magic secrets to Crowley's success.
"He's got very good concentration," Lyon said.
"He's a running machine. He's got great strength and power but again he gets a lot of support from his teammates."
Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett agreed with Lyon's analysis.
"He's done a fantastic job this year, given a role and done the job on some really good players," Ablett told AFL.com.au.
"I think Ryan gets a lot of help from his teammates because they're the best defensive side in the competition."
Carlton captain Marc Murphy spoke of Crowley's endurance and his strength.
"He's obviously extremely fit and I think he's one of their strongest with the bench press, so he's hard to shake that way," Murphy told AFL.com.au.
"He's pretty diligent with his work.
"All the best to whoever he takes on Saturday."
