Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has conceded the Crows are missing Paul Seedsman on the field.
Last month, Seedsman was ruled out for the remainder of 2022 and moved to the Club’s inactive list as he battles ongoing concussion symptoms.
But despite his health challenges, Seedsman is in a “good space”, according to Nicks.
“We went back over some of our best vision, looking at the way we control the ball and move the footy and he’s (Seedsman) in every edit,” Nicks said at a press conference on Friday.
“It’s disappointing we are not going to see him (Seedsman) this year but it’s something that we were never going to take a risk around.
“He (Seedsman) is in a good space. It is good to see him smiling and see him up and about.
“We miss him on-field and that sort of led to the discussion around how do we continue to integrate him into the group for the remainder of this year.
“We are just looking at a game-day role, for example, like Sloaney is doing. Keeping him (Seedsman) engaged as he starts to get back involved in the physicality side of things.”
Although Seedsman is keen to return, Nicks knows his long-term wellbeing comes first.
“We (Nicks and Seedsman) spoke about the balance of footy and life and how sometimes we get ourselves stuck in footy,” he said.
“You live and ride every single bump, every result there is. Sometimes something larger comes along that makes you think a little bit more about your perspective on life.
“It was nice to see him back out there again, that’s why we are really keen to see him remain involved for the rest of this year, to stay connected and bring his experience.
“He’s an incredibly smart footballer - we call it FB football intelligence and he’s one of the best I’ve worked with.”
For Seedsman, there were certainly difficult times.
"There was a time there where I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel, for sure," Seedsman told reporters on Friday.
"And I probably did think that I had played my last game ... it was just so frustrating and flattening each day, it was a battle.
"You hate the thought of it (not playing again) and I try not to spend too much time thinking about it. I understand that is a very real possibility.
"But everything I am doing in between is getting back to play."
Seedsman, who finished third in Adelaide's club champion award last season, suffered constant migraines and nausea after copping a knock to the head in a marking contest at training.
"I am not out of jail in that sense by any stretch," the 132-gamer said.
"I still have limitations on everything that I do, even from just a mental capacity, day-to-day tasks."
Discussions with his wife and wider family would also determine if he played again.
"Eventually I want to start a family and have kids and I don't want to be sitting in bed and being miserable all day, every day," he said.
"That is definitely the number one priority, life after football.
"I want to play footy ... (but) I am not going to be stupid with it."