Crawford will play for the Western Magpies in the Queensland Australian Football League.

Last season Crawford was a key player for Warrnambool and District league runner-up Merrivale, playing 21 games including being among the Tigers best in their grand final loss to Dennington.

He was also an interleague representative.

In previous seasons, Crawford also excelled at Old Collegians and Hampden league club Hamilton Kangaroos.

The 32-year-old said he is moving north for greater employment opportunities.

He said Merrivale is in a good position to go one better in 2016.

“I really enjoyed my year at Merrivale, I had always wanted to play a year with Joe Woonton who is a good mate of mine so it was great to be able to do that,” Crawford said.

“I think Merrivale will be right up there again, they are training hard. There seems to be a real desire to be there and they still have some really good players. Injuries to Jack Grace, Jet Dowie and Josh Sobey at the wrong time last year hurt us.”

The Warrnambool and District league left a strong impression on Crawford.

“Those top Hampden league teams are very good and it is a fair step up to where they are at,” Crawford said.

“But the district league is really good, it can be a bit lop-sided, but I do rate it pretty highly, it was an enjoyable league to play in.”