Irish sensation Mark Keane turned down a chance to join the Magpies, dealing a further blow to Collingwood and Craig McRae. Keane was interested in returning to Collingwood, where he had previously played in the AFL seasons of 2020 and 2021, for the Magpies.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Keane returned home. He didn’t play for Adelaide again until the 2023 season, when he made five appearances. After then, despite being on a low-base contract, he made 21 appearances this year and was one of the defense’s bright spots.
For the Crows, Keane averaged almost 17 disposals and five marks per game. And Collingwood noticed what he was displaying. His previous contract was set to expire in 2025, thus the Magpies were eager to entice him to Collingwood in order to improve his terms.
But the Crows moved to lock down Keane on a three-year deal through the end of 2028, in a cruel jab at Collingwood. Keane has demonstrated his value to the Adelaide team, and Justin Reid, the manager of the Crows list, called him a key member of the backline.
Reid stated in the statement, “We couldn’t be more pleased with what Mark has brought to our club over the past two seasons.” As a crucial component of our backline this year, he elevated his game to a new level and is a terrific teammate and fierce competitor.
“We see him as an important part of our future and are obviously thrilled that he’s extended his contract with us until 2028.” Keane was ecstatic about his contract extension as well.
Mark Keane thrilled to re-sign for Crows
Since joining the Crows, Keane acknowledged that he felt at home in Adelaide and that he planned to keep working with his teammates. “Even though it’s only been two seasons, I’ve had a great time with the Crows and have forged great bonds with the players, staff, Adelaide community, and our fans,” he said.
“I’m excited to work with my teammates again in the preseason because I feel like I’ve improved a lot in the last four years and I’ve taken advantage of my opportunities.”
Collingwood under pressure after poor season
In 2024, Craig McRae and Collingwood have faced a great deal of criticism for not only failing to retain their title but also failing to qualify for the AFL playoffs. The 2025 roster has also drawn criticism.
Eleven Collingwood players who are older than thirty will be there next season. The club has also drawn criticism for the recent contract extensions given to Pies mainstays Steele Sidebottom, Jeremy Howe, Scott Pendlebury, and Will Hoskin-Elliott. The legendary Kane Cornes of Port Adelaide was prompted to say that Collingwood had put themselves in a difficult situation with their list management in previous years.
Collingwood is adamant that they still have a great chance to win the AFL championship, and resigning all four of its out-of-contract stalwarts for 2025 will only increase that likelihood. As of right now, Collingwood owns picks 32, 48, and 50 in the current draft, having surrendered their first-round selection to Fremantle in exchange for Lachie Schultz the previous year.
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