Crows captain Taylor Walker is confident of overcoming a corked thigh to play against the Brisbane Lions in the twilight clash at the Gabba on Saturday.
Walker was substituted at three-quarter time of Adelaide’s loss to Hawthorn on Thursday night after receiving a heavy knock to his thigh/hip. The key forward’s chances of facing the Lions will be aided by a nine-day break between games, but he’ll need to prove his fitness at training during the week.
Walker was the only new injury reported over the weekend.
In more positive injury news, promising pair Brad Crouch (foot) and Jake Lever (ankle) are both expected to be available for selection at either AFL or SANFL level this weekend.
Lever, 19, has missed the past two matches because of an ankle complaint.
Crouch, who is yet to play an AFL game this season, made a successful return from a fractured foot in the SANFL prior to the bye but was sidelined again on the weekend after experiencing soreness in the same foot.
Crows Conditioning Coordinator Matthew Bode said the eldest Crouch sibling was back in training.
“Brad Crouch had a bit of a scare last week with some foot soreness. He had some scans and they, thankfully, came back with no bone damage,” Bode said.
“He’ll have a good week on the track and is expected to play.”
Young midfielder Sam Kerridge is progressing well in his rehabilitation from an ankle injury, but is still 2-4 weeks away from a return. Mitch Grigg, who rolled his ankle while running over the break, is out of his moon boot but it’s still too early to say definitively when he’ll be able to play again.
Utility Andy Otten is back in full training and eyeing a return from a second knee reconstruction in the SANFL within a month. Draftee Harry Dear (shoulder) and defender Matthew Jaensch (knee) are the Club’s long-term injury concerns.
For fans in Brisbane, the Crows will hold an open training session at the Gabba from 3pm (local time) on Friday, June 26. The light run will last approximately 45 minutes.
Injury list as of Monday, June 22
Taylor Walker (corked thigh) – Test
Brad Crouch (foot) – Test
Jake Lever (ankle) – Test
Sam Kerridge (ankle) – 2-4 weeks
Andy Otten (knee) – 3-4 weeks
Mitch Grigg (ankle) – TBA
Harry Dear (shoulder) – TBA
Matthew Jaensch (knee) – Season
Brent Reilly (fractured skull) – Retired
