Ryan Crowley

Ryan Crowley (born 5 March 1984) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle Football Club and the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He played as a midfielder and specialised in a tagging role. AFL career Crowley was first drafted by Fremantle in 2002 with selection 55 at the national draft. At the end of 2004, having only played WAFL football for Subiaco, he was delisted. However the club gave Crowley a second chance and re-selected him with their 3rd pick in the rookie draft. Good form with Subiaco in 2005 led to his elevation to the senior list when both Robert Haddrill and his replacement Michael Warren were placed on the long term injury list. His debut was notable in that he became only the third Fremantle player to kick three goals on debut (along with Leigh Wardell-Johnson and Paul Medhurst), and these goals helped Fremantle to an upset nine-point victory over at Skilled Stadium. His continued good form in the second half of the 2005 season including 4 goals against Carlton at the MCG saw Ryan elevated to the senior list for the 2006 season. Early in the 2006 season, Ryan got a heavy blow to the face during a shepherd from Byron Pickett, and received a broken cheekbone. Crowley continued to improve throughout the 2007 season, having gathered 319 disposals in 19 games and earning a regular spot in the Fremantle midfield as a winger/onballer who can kick goals. Conversion to a tagger In 2008, however, he developed into a defensive midfielder or tagger and notoriously played on opposition stars such as Gary Ablett, Jr. and Daniel Kerr. He finished the year well, coming equal fifth in Fremantle's fairest and best award, the Doig Medal.