Defender Daniel Talia is expected to be fit for Adelaide’s twilight clash with Essendon on Sunday.
Talia sat out the last quarter of Adelaide’s loss to Geelong on Saturday night because of a corked hip.
Crows General Manager of High Performance Brett Burton said a longer break between games would assist the All Australian’s recovery.
“We’ll go through the normal process of getting him (Talia) moving this week, and with the eight-day break we expect him to be available,” Burton said.
Captain Taylor Walker also finished the game at Simonds Stadium on the interchange bench with a sore ankle.
Scans have cleared Walker of any serious damage and the Club will make a call on his availability later in the week.
Adelaide’s SANFL team could be bolstered by the return of three players this weekend.
Troy Menzel, Sam Shaw and Luke Lowden are all tipped to play against the Port Magpies.
Troy Menzel, who has missed a month recovering from his second concussion of the season, has been building up his training loads. The talented forward will continue to be assessed in accordance with concussion protocols and is rated as a ‘test’ to play at Alberton on Sunday.
Shaw, who is also on the comeback from concussion, could play his first game since April.
Adelaide has taken an ultra-conservative approach with the left-footer, who experienced prolonged symptoms following a knock sustained in the opening rounds of the SANFL season.
Ruckman/forward Luke Lowden, who has missed a few weeks with a hamstring strain, is also on track to play the Magpies.
Experienced pair Andy Otten (thumb) and Nathan van Berlo (foot) are both progressing well, and are expected to be available to play after Adelaide’s Round 19 SANFL bye.
Young forward Riley Knight, who has endured a frustrating season with injury, is also on the comeback. Knight is building fitness following surgery to relieve a nerve irritation in his ankle.
“Riley is back running again, which is great,” Burton said.
“We’ve now been able to put a definitive rehab plan around him. We look forward to him progressing and being available in 2 – 3 weeks.”
The Club reported no new injuries at SANFL level on the weekend.
Injury list as of Monday, July 25
Daniel Talia (corked hip) – Test
Taylor Walker (ankle) – Test
Troy Menzel (concussion) – Test
Luke Lowden (hamstring) – Test
Sam Shaw (concussion) – Test
Andy Otten (thumb) – 2 weeks
Nathan van Berlo (foot) – 2-3 weeks
Riley Knight (ankle) – 2-3 weeks
