Four Crows are set to play their first games of the year this weekend.
Riley Knight, Charlie Cameron, Andy Otten and Ricky Henderson will all be available to return to action on Saturday at AFL or SANFL level.
Emerging forwards Knight (ankle) and Cameron (knee) re-joined main training last week, while defenders Otten (knee) and Henderson (back) have completed a ‘mini pre-season’ in preparation for Round One.
Curtly Hampton and Paul Hunter are the only Crows currently unavailable for selection.
Hampton is sidelined with a stress reaction in his foot after being a late withdrawal from Adelaide’s SANFL trial against South Adelaide a fortnight ago. The defender will be confined to a moon boot for the first stage of his rehabilitation.
General Manager of High Performance Brett Burton said Hampton’s progress would be closely monitored.
“We’re hopeful that that’s tracking along pretty well and it’ll be six weeks rather than the eight weeks,” Burton said.
“But we’ll see how he goes with his rehabilitation.”
Ruckman Hunter rolled his ankle at training on Monday morning. The 200cm rookie played in both of Adelaide’s pre-season SANFL trials after recovering from a PCL injury sustained late last year while playing in the NEAFL.
Burton said Adelaide wouldn’t risk the 23-year-old in Round One.
“He’ll be unavailable to play this week, but we’ll get some more information with scan results in the coming days,” he said.
Fellow first-year player Tom Doedee (knee) is only other Crow who may miss as the Club continues its conservative approach with the young defender.
“Being a first-year player, we’ll just assess how he’s going later in the week and whether we make the decision to hold him off for another week,” Burton said.
“If he does (miss), it’ll just be one week and he’ll be able to play next week.
“Pleasingly, everyone else on the injury list is tracking along well and will be available to play.”
Injury List – Round One
Curtly Hampton (foot) – 6-8 weeks
Paul Hunter (ankle) – TBC
Tom Doedee (knee) - Test
