Alex Keath Biography

Alex Keath announces his retirement after 109 games with the Crows and the Western Bulldogs.

"Alex should be extremely proud of the contributions he made to both Adelaide and Western Bulldogs football clubs," Bulldogs list manager Sam Power said.

"He is the epitome of hard work and determination, a reliable defender who gave his all each time he ran onto the field. He's also a much-loved and highly respected individual, not just by his teammates but also by staff across all sections of our club."

Adelaide director Mark Ricciuto explains the reason the club decided to trade Alex Keath to the Bulldogs.

"Alex Keath got offered a massive amount of money to go to Western Bulldogs. Like a large amount of money, more than double what he was on at Adelaide. That's what he wanted. If we had have kept him, we would've lost more players," Ricciuto said on Triple M.

Alex Keath says a feeling of being wanted was a big reason for his move to the Bulldogs.

"Adelaide are obviously looking to get a little bit younger, the Bulldogs on the flipside were maybe looking to add some experience, so that was where the opportunity lay for me," Keath said.

"I felt really wanted with the Bulldogs, so it was a great opportunity to get here and obviously very happy that the trade got done."

The Crows finally trade Alex Keath to the Bulldogs drawn-out negotiations between the clubs.

The two clubs were long split on what Keath was worth in a trade, with a deal eventuating which saw the Dogs also gain a future third-round pick from the Crows. Adelaide receives pick No.45 and a future second-round selection.

"Alex is someone who reads the play well and is good in the air. He is courageous, good in the contest and someone who helps his teammates on the field," Bulldogs recruitment manager Sam Power said.

"As someone who came into the AFL system late, we feel that Alex has plenty of football ahead of him and that his best is still to come."

The Western Bulldogs are hoping to acquire Adelaide defender Alex Keath with a third-round pick – not a first-rounder as the Crows had originally hoped – given a lower-shin stress fracture will keep him grounded until at least late January.

The Age reports that the Bulldogs and St Kilda believed the injury required an operation, while the Crows had planned to manage the issue without taking the surgical route.

Given Keath is the Crows' responsibility until the end of October, they arranged the surgery and footed the bill for all associated costs.

Keath had originally intended to go on an overseas holiday but those plans were abandoned when the Bulldogs insisted he go under the knife immediately.

Alex Keath officially requests a trade to the Bulldogs.

After a career-best 2019 season which included winning the Showdown Medal in his 20th game, Keath was seeking a longer contract to provide security for his future.

"I will be forever grateful to the Adelaide Football Club for providing me with the opportunity to test myself at the AFL level," Keath said.

"Playing with exceptional players and for their passionate supporters has been a highlight of my career. I am now excited by the prospect of becoming part of the emerging Western Bulldogs squad, and hopefully a trade can be facilitated."

St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis confirms that Adelaide key defender Alex Keath has had a medical examination at the club.

"I think all Saints fans would expect that as a footy club that wants to improve, we would put ourselves in as many conversations as we can," Finnis said.

"If there's players who are looking to change teams or come to Melbourne, then we're happy to have those conversations."

Adelaide is doing everything it can to retain out-of-contract defender Alex Keath as Victorian rivals circle for his signature.

The 27-year-old former cricketer has been a revelation in 2019, with his intercept marking and positional play putting him in the discussion for All-Australian honours.

Hugh Greenwood and Alex Keath have been guaranteed of being elevated to the Crows' senior list after both were recruited as Category B rookies at the end of 2015.

The Crows will use their last two picks in the NAB AFL Draft – selections 77 and 109 overall – to upgrade Greenwood and Keath.

Eliott Himmelberg is placed on the Crows' long-term injury list, allowing Alex Keath to remain on the Crows' senior list.

With midfielder Curtly Hampton set to come off the long-term injury list and play his first game in three months in the SANFL this weekend, the Crows would have had to demote either Keath or fellow cross-code success story Hugh Greenwood back to the rookie list.

However, Adelaide has decided to rule Himmelberg out for the season with a foot injury and allow him to get a full pre-season under his belt.

Alex Keath signs a new deal with the Crows that will keep him at the club until the end of 2019.

Alex Keath makes his AFL debut for Adelaide at Adelaide Oval with 6 disposals (6 kicks), 3 marks and 3 tackles in a 21-point win over Geelong.

Alex Keath will make his AFL debut for the Crows this week against Geelong.

"Alex is a really strong competitor, his attack on the ball and his ball use is really efficient as well," Crows coach Don Pyke said.

"He's got some speed and some competitive spirit that we like. He's performed really well at SANFL level for us and he comes in as a tall defender."

Crows rookie Alex Keath signs a cricket contract to play in the 2015-16 Big Bash League.

Keith was signed as a Category B rookie by the Crows but has been allowed to continue playing grade cricket for a local club, where he's averaged almost 130 runs a game in five innings.

Keath will continue to train with the Crows, when his cricket commitments allow him to, until the BBL tournament ends.

He will become the first VFL/AFL-listed player to concurrently play state-level cricket since Carlton champion Craig Bradley played two Sheffield Shield games for Victoria in 1989-90.

South Australia Cricket Association high performance manager Tim Nielsen said the all-rounder's past experience at domestic level would hold him in good stead.

"We’re excited to have Alex on board with us this summer as he’s another all-rounder that can really put a match in our favour with either bat or ball," Nielsen said.