Hayden Crozier Biography

The Western Bulldogs are investigating a scary incident involving Hayden Crozier during their defeat to Carlton, where the defender unexpectedly fainted at half-time of the clash.

"They're monitoring him, but he seems to be fine at the moment. Hopefully, it's nothing more than some light-headedness for some reason and he's OK," Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said after the match.

Hayden Crozier will miss the start of the 2021 season after scans revealed he will need shoulder surgery after suffering an AC joint injury in the Bulldogs' AAMI Community Series win over Melbourne.

Hayden Crozier signs a new deal with the Bulldogs to remain at the club until the end of 2023.

"To re-sign was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made. I absolutely love this Club and to be here until the end of 2023 is awesome," Crozier said.

"I’m really enjoying the challenge in defence, and I pride myself on being able to play tall or small. I’m happy to play wherever ‘Bevo’ wants me to and whatever role he wants me to."

Hayden Crozier's move to the Western Bulldogs is paying off, with the former Docker declaring he's in the best form of his career.

The running defender amassed a career-high 30 possessions in the two-point loss to North Melbourne last weekend, and that impressive performance comes off the back a standout game against Port Adelaide in round 13.

"We had a few key backs out (injured), and that had forced me to play as a third tall, so it was good to get up the ground and play on instinct," he said.

Hayden Crozier is set to miss a month after straining the medial ligament in his right knee against the Giants.

"During the weekend's game, someone fell across Hayden's knee (and) it actually damaged the medial ligament. We'll manage it conservatively but I expect him to miss the next month of football," Bulldogs medical services manager Chris Bell said.

Hayden Crozier says a charm offensive from coach Luke Beveridge was one of the main factors in deciding the Western Bulldogs were the best fit for him.

"The catch-up I had with 'Bevo' post-season blew me away with what he had to offer me," Crozier said.

"Bevo is backing me in off half-back, so I've been doing 90 per cent of my training down there, but also a little bit down forward and on the wing.

"He is massive on versatility and guys playing different positions, but my main role will be half-back, with the all clear to run and bounce and take the game on."

Hayden Crozier has made his way to the Western Bulldogs after the club traded pick No.40 to Fremantle as part of a deal for the versatile Victorian.

"Hayden's got a great athletic profile, which will allow us the flexibility to play him back, forward or wing, with his aerial game a particular strength," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

"We see him primarily at half-back which will help our defence transition in 2018 and beyond."

The Western Bulldogs have flagged their interest in out-of-contract Dockers utility Hayden Crozier.

"We do have some interest in Hayden, he's been in the system six years but he's a young player, turns 24 at the end of the year and he's a player that was rated highly by our recruiting team back in the 2011 draft," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

"He's got some attributes athletically that would really complement our group and once again he's a player that we've seen play some different roles."

Nat fyfe's transformation from skinny half-forward flanker to midfield beast has inspired teammate Hayden Crozier to add some more size to his frame this summer.

"It's well documented I came in fairly skinny and a little pasty kid from Victoria," Crozier said.

"Seeing a guy like Nat Fyfe, the amount of size he's put on in a couple of years without losing any running ability, it's something to look up to."

While in the US, Hayden Crozier and Lachie Neale meet up with some of the best current basketballers in the world, including 2014 NBA MVP Steph Curry.

Curry received a quick lesson on how to kick and handball a Sherrin from the Docker duo, not quite handling the football as well as he does a basketball.

They also had lunch with Charlotte Hornets players Jeremy Lin and Cody Zeller while Neale was humbled to meet his NBA idol, along with Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant.

NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal compares Los Angles Clippers star Blake Griffin to Dockers forward Hayden Crozier during TNT's Inside the NBA Halftime Report.

"He reminds me of my good friend Hayden, from the Fremantle Dockers, in Aussie Football Rules," O'Neal said of Griffin.

"He's playing tough, he's playing tough and rugged. That's how I like him to play."

Hayden Crozier signs a two-year contract extension with Fremantle that will keep him at the club until the end of 2017.

"I get along with the boys, so it is the right place to be," Crozier said.

"I have a good core group of mates outside footy too, which is why I decided to stay.

"It is a very hard working and driven group. We are an incredibly close group.

"We've got a lot of good young players coming through, which is exciting."

Young Fremantle midfielder Hayden Crozier is being treated for suspected glandular fever.

Hayden Crozier makes his AFL debut for Fremantle with 3 disposals (2 kicks and a handball), a mark and a tackle in a 29-point loss to Adelaide.