Brenton Sanderson says Nathan van Berlo could yet play a role in the final chapter of Adelaide’s season he edges closer towards a return from Achilles surgery.
Van Berlo ruptured his right Achilles tendon in a pre-season training accident in January which has sidelined the 28-year-old for the entire season to date.
After spending three months in a protective moon boot, van Berlo began running for the first time in early June as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program.
The Crows skipper has steadily increased his running intensity over the past two months and was recently cleared to join the main training group as he works his way back towards full fitness.
Coach Sanderson said van Berlo’s chances of a late-season comeback could lie in the hands of his teammates.
“It’s a tough one, it depends how deep we go, because he’s almost getting ready to play,” Sanderson said on Thursday.
“But he obviously hasn’t played any footy this year and he’s only been with the group for the last couple of weeks.
“We’ll see what happens in the next few weeks, but I’d love to play him.”
Sanderson admitted the odds were stacked against van Berlo in the short-term. Adelaide’s SANFL side will play its final game of the season this Saturday against Norwood, robbing the Club captain of any opportunity to return via the local competition.
“The SANFL (team) plays their last game this weekend, so unfortunately he won’t get any match play in,” Sanderson said.
“You’d have to say he’s unlikely, but don’t write him off yet, because he could still play a role for us.”
Adelaide made three changes to the side that fell to Richmond last week, as the Club prepares for its first-ever trip to Hobart to confront the Kangaroos in a season-defining clash.
Hardened duo Scott Thompson and Ben Rutten return to the side, alongside reliable small Rory Laird who was best afield in Adelaide’s SANFL fixture last weekend.
David Mackay (concussion) was given another week to overcome the effects of his second concussion of the year, while luckless defender Sam Shaw was also unavailable with a hamstring complaint.
Sanderson said the Crows were priming themselves for their biggest test of the season.
“We have to win this week - it’s as simple as that,” he said.
“If we can replicate our best form for four quarters, we are really hard to beat no matter who we play against.
“But having said that, they’re a side that’s in good form as well…and we always have really close games against them.
“We can’t wait for the challenge.”
Nathan van Berlo was one of our stars in our inaugural Virgin Australia Film Festival entry! Watch, like, share and comment on the hilarious video below to help us beat the competition and take out first prize!
