Brodie Smith is set to return for Saturday night’s Elimination Final against North Melbourne.
Smith, 24, missed Adelaide’s last minor round game after sustaining a concussion in the Round 22 Showdown win. The All Australian defender didn’t line up in the Club’s SANFL final on Saturday.
Crows General Manager of High Performance Brett Burton said Smith would take on the Kangaroos provided he completed training.
“Brodie Smith has recovered well from that concussion,” Burton said.
“He had a good week on the training track last week and he’ll be in full training this week as well.”
The Crows reported no new injuries at SANFL level, while the AFL team had a bye weekend.
Wingman Paul Seedsman (corked buttock) and ruckman/forward Luke Lowden (ankle) were both late withdrawals from the Club’s historic SANFL win over Central District.
Burton said the pair was expected to be available to play this weekend.
“Seeds didn’t quite come up for last week’s SANFL game, but he trained well over the weekend and had another good session today (Monday),” Burton said.
“We look forward to him training at the main session and being available to play.
“Lowds was close to playing … but just needed a little bit more time. He’ll train fully this week and be available to play on the weekend.”
Defender Alex Keath, who has missed the past three weeks with a fractured vertebra, is also pushing to return this weekend. If the promising rookie is fit, he’s eligible to play in the Club’s SANFL semi-final clash with South Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
All Crows players are eligible to play at SANFL level while the AFL team remains in finals contention.
The eligibility rules are explained in detail here.
Burton said the weekend off had served a dual purpose for the Club’s AFL side.
“The bye on the weekend enabled the (AFL) boys to get some good rest and regeneration,” he said.
“We were also able to get some good training in last week, so we’re raring to go for this week.”
Rory Sloane will return this week having served a one-game ban for rough conduct.
Injury list as of Monday, September 5
Brodie Smith (concussion) – Test
Paul Seedsman (corked buttock) – Test
Luke Lowden (ankle) – Test
Alex Keath (back) – Test
Sam Shaw (concussion) – Season
