Ryan Crowley joins Essendon as top-up player

Ryan Crowley has signed with Essendon.

The former Fremantle tagger will play as one of the Bombers’ top-up players for 2016 after a dozen of the club’s players received doping bans.

Crowley, who was delisted by the Dockers at the end of last season, said he was ‘super excited’ to be given another chance.

‘Whirlwind is one way to put it,’ Crowley said in a club statement.

‘It’s been amazing.

‘I’m super excited to be down here.

‘It’s a great club with heaps of history.

‘I can’t wait to get down there and train with the boys.’

Crowley, 31, has played 188 games at the highest level.

Former Geelong star James Kelly has also been linked with a move to the club.