Adelaide isn't putting expectations on injury-plagued midfielder Brad Crouch ahead of his first premiership game in 539 days.
Saturday's round one encounter with Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval is just the third time the 25-year-old will play in a season-opener in seven years.
Crouch didn't play in 2015 with stress fractures in his foot, missed the first four games of 2017 with a hamstring injury, and was sidelined all of last season with a groin issue. Since debuting in round two of 2013, he has played just 61 of a possible 139 games.
At his best, Crouch is one of the elite midfielders in the competition with his contested ball work and ability to burst away from stoppages.
You only have to look at his 2017 season – when he averaged 28.1 disposals, 6.8 tackles, 5.8 clearances and 4.2 inside 50s, all career highs – to understand his value to the Crows.
Crouch was on modified training before the Christmas break, but resumed full training in January.
He returned in an under-23s trial against Port Adelaide in February before backing up with strong performances in the JLT Community Series, averaging 30 disposals, 5.5 clearances and 5.5 tackles in the two games.
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Crows coach Don Pyke said he was excited to have Crouch back in the side.
"He's missed a year of senior footy so he's had a couple of trial games, but there's no real expectations on Brad other than to come out and play," Pyke said.
"Given the year he had last year, he's just excited and looking forward to just playing.
"I expect he'll bring the normal level of energy he brings and his drive around the contest, and we'll see what the game produces."
Crouch will be playing his first game since the 2017 Grand Final against Richmond.
"Even talking to him this morning, he's come a long way," Pyke said.
"Last year was really disappointing for him.
"For him to get through the pre-season, no pain, playing the sort of footy he's capable of playing, it's just exciting for him and it's almost like having another fresh recruit."
The Crows have close to a full list to choose from, with only defender Luke Brown (foot) and winger Paul Seedsman (finger) unavailable.
Seedsman is expected to return for the round two encounter with Sydney next Friday night.
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Veteran David Mackay – despite missing the JLT Community Series with a shoulder injury - fills Seedsman's role against the Hawks, while midfielder Hugh Greenwood has been left out to build match conditioning in the SANFL after having an interrupted pre-season with an abdominal tendon injury.
"Hugh wasn't in full training four or five weeks ago, so he's come a long way quickly," Pyke said.
"We're just mindful of the long season and getting him absolutely right.
"We know the quality of the player he is, but he needs one, if not two runs under his belt before he's ready to push and play in the AFL."
The Crows will hand a debut to 19-year-old Tasmanian Chayce Jones, last year's ninth overall draft pick who will play across half-forward and on the wing.
Big things are expected of the Crows this season, but Pyke isn't buying into the hype.
"I feel like we've prepared to win games of footy," Pyke said.
"Our preparation is great, but it doesn't guarantee us anything.
"We start on zero and we have to earn our right to play deeper into the season."
