Hayden Crozier’s highlights reel is impressive.
After 99 games, you could argue that Crozier’s best moments would be the envy of many who have played an AFL game.
The lethal left-footer has done it at both ends – kicking sharp goals, laying big tackles and effecting desperate spoils.
Not to mention his knack of sitting on heads to pluck the Sherrin out of the sky.
His huge grab against Collingwood in round four over the top of Jamie Elliott, Brody Mihocek and teammate Ed Richards will take some beating when it comes to judging the 2019 JLT Mark of the Year come season’s end.
But as he prepares to play his 100th AFL match on Saturday night, he has his sights set on bigger goals.
“Not the car – the cup!”
FOUR THINGS TO WATCH: DOGS v CATS
Crozier spent the first six seasons of his career in the west with Fremantle, after the Dockers called his name out at pick 20 in 2011.
He played 69 games in purple, before a move home to Melbourne beckoned.
The Dogs parted with pick 40, and helped Crozier transition from primarily being used to a half-forward, to a half-back to help fill the gap left by the retiring Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd.
“It’s something that I’m pretty proud of,” Crozier said of his journey to 100 games.
“It’s interesting – when you get drafted you just want to play one game, let alone 100, so I’m really proud.”
“When I got drafted I was 17 years old, I’d just finished my last Year 12 exam basically and then moved across to the other side of the country.
“In terms of footy, I’ve developed a lot. Obviously my body’s developed a little bit more – coming into the system at 67 kilos is a little bit under!”
Crozier has settled in comfortably at the Kennel over the past two seasons.
Alongside the likes of Jason Johannisen, Caleb Daniel and Easton Wood, the 25-year-old has made his mark at half-back, whether it be through his aerial presence or ball use.
“I’m extremely comfortable at the moment,” Crozier said.
“I feel like playing defence probably suits my game better and my attributes. It helps when you’ve got good guys around you as well, we’ve got a lot of leaders down back.
“I’m just really enjoying my footy.
“I love coming to the club every day, it’s a fantastic workplace.”
At 25, Crozier arguably has his best footy still ahead of him. As do many on the Bulldogs list – with roughly half the playing list aged 23-or-under.
THE FIGHTBACK 30: MOMENTS 11-15
And while he’d love another big mark or two to add to the highlights reel in the coming years, it’s a premiership he’s chasing in red, white and blue.
“That’s what I want to do,” Crozier said.
“Watching the Doggies get the grand final (in 2016) was quite hard to watch for me.
“It was something I was really envious of, and something that I’ve always wanted to be a part of.
“Hopefully I can take another couple of marks along the way, but obviously the main goal is to win the cup at the end of the day.”
