Crows lock star defender on long-term contract
Minor premiers Adelaide have locked defender Josh Worrell on a long-term contract, with the Victorian signing until the end of the 2033 season.
All-Australian contender Josh Worrell has become the latest Adelaide player to ink a long-term deal, signing until the end of 2033.
The 24-year-old Worrell, in the midst of a breakout season, had been contracted by the Crows until the end of 2027.
But the Victorian-born defender has extended for a further six seasons to remain a Crow until the end of 2033.
“To say it was a quick process would be an understatement,” Worrell said in a club statement on Monday.
“I had two years left on my contract but I really couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else.
“I love where this club is heading, I love my teammates and I love this city … Adelaide is where I want to be for the long term.”
Worrell is in All-Australian calculations in a season when the ladder leaders will return to the finals for the first time 2017.
He has taken the second-most intercept marks in the competition – 181, one less than his defensive teammate Mark Keane.
“Josh is having another outstanding year for us down back,” Adelaide’s list manager Justin Reid said.
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“His development over the past two seasons has been so impressive and we’ve watched him grow into one of the top intercept defenders in the competition.
“The buy-in and belief we have from Josh and our playing group as a whole has been fantastic.”
The Crows, who will host Collingwood in a qualifying final, have signed a batch of players on long-term deals, including forward Darcy Fogarty (2031), Josh Rachele (2029), Jake Soligo (2029) and captain Jordan Dawson (2029).
