ADELAIDE defender Graham Johncock has made a miraculous recovery from a hip injury, and is in line to play his 200th game against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Plans for Johncock's milestone match were put on hold when the 28-year-old landed heavily on his left hip in a marking contest during the second quarter of the Crows' loss to Essendon last Friday night.

The in-form backman was substituted out of the game at half-time and television cameras captured him making his way across AAMI Stadium in a wheelchair to a waiting ambulance, which took him to hospital for scans.

"The doctors were a little concerned about my hip and that there might have been a few fractures in there," Johncock said on Wednesday.

"I couldn't put any weight on my left leg at the time, which was the main concern, but I got the all clear with the scans that came back.
 
"I pinched a little nerve that runs down the leg … but after a few hours passed, I started to get a bit of feeling back."

Johncock returned to the Crows' clubrooms at 3am on Saturday and spent 12 hours hooked up to an ice machine before being released into his wife Jade's care that evening.

The popular veteran briefly contemplated delaying his 200th game to play in front of a pro-Adelaide crowd in Showdown 31 next week, but passed a rigorous fitness test on Wednesday and said he was looking forward to becoming only the 10th Crow to reach the 200-game milestone.

"[My 200th game] is something that I'll definitely cherish, running out with my babies (daughters Felicity and Nevaeh) on Friday night," Johncock said.

"It's something I'll sit back at the end of my career and be very proud of."

Johncock's path to 200 games hasn't always been a smooth one.

In 2005, he was fined and disqualified from driving after crashing his car into two parked vehicles and lying to police about his involvement.

Three years later, he was sent back to the SANFL for two matches for failing to meet the club's training and preparation standards, and took part in a six-week lifestyle management course in the 2009 pre-season.

As recently as round eight last season, Johncock was barred from selection for a week after failing to attend a compulsory recovery session.

At the time, he didn't agree with the leadership group's decision to suspend him, but admitted the incident had been an "eye-opener".

"There comes a time I believe that you need to draw that line in the sand and say enough is enough," he said.

"[After the suspension] I thought, I've had enough of that and it's time to start repaying the club for the amount of effort they've put into me.

"It's been well documented over my career that I've had my ups and downs, and the club has been fantastic in the support they've given me.

"It's taken me a bit longer to realise it but … I think I'm on the right path now. I'm settling down and things are going good at the moment."

Johncock's growing maturity and improved attitude have been reflected in his career-best form.

The one-time leading goalkicker was Adelaide's most valuable player last season, but missed seven games through injury and suspension and could only manage fifth place in the club's best and fairest award.

Prior to getting injured against Essendon last week, he'd amassed nine disposals, five marks and two goals in a standout first-quarter display.

Johncock recently signed a new two-year deal with the Crows, ensuring he will finish his career at the club he supported as a child.

"In the first quarter, I was enjoying it and kicking a few goals … I hadn't kicked one for a while," he said.

"I'll play my career out here, and play as consistently as I can."

The news wasn't all positive for Adelaide on Wednesday, though with Matt Jaensch (shoulder) ruled out of the clash with St Kilda.

Mature-age recruit Ian Callinan (hamstring) pulled up sore at training on Tuesday night and will also miss the game.

Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill