David Mackay has declared himself available for Adelaide’s second NAB Challenge match against Geelong on Thursday night.
Mackay suffered a minor hamstring strain in January which temporarily sidelined the 26-year-old.
After a small stint with Adelaide’s rehabilitation group, Mackay quickly returned to full training and could’ve played in Adelaide’s first NAB Challenge game had it been for premiership points.
Instead, Mackay watched from the sidelines at Centenary Oval as the Crows chalked their first win of the year over North Melbourne in Port Lincoln.
The dashing wingman told radio station FIVEaa that he would put his hand up for the trip to Simonds Stadium.
“I’ll be available to play,” Mackay said.
“I’ve been ready to go for a number of weeks now.”
He said the injury has not affected his preparation for the premiership season, which kicks off on April 5 against North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.
“I did plenty of work prior to Christmas,” he said.
“This setback occurred in early January and once I was able to get back into full training, which was a number of weeks ago now, I’ve managed to get a lot of work under my belt.
“In the end it was very minor and I’m ready to go now.”
Ruckman Sam Jacobs (knee) will also be in the mix for his first outing of the year.
Mackay signed a four-year deal last July which will see him remain a Crow until at least the end of Season 2018.
He enjoyed a solid 2014 campaign, averaging 18 possessions and booting 11 goals despite missing three games with concussion concerns.
Now one of the Club’s senior figures, the 124-game veteran acts as a mentor to many of Adelaide’s next wave of emerging players.
Mackay was a keen observer during the Crows’ opening hit-out of the year, and said the young side’s performance proved Adelaide’s future is in good hands.
“It was quite encouraging to see the young guys get out there and perform pretty well for us,” he said.
“(We) had a lot of guys playing their first game and getting their first taste of it, and I thought they worked really well together and certainly looked comfortable out there.”
“For three quarters we executed pretty well and were quite efficient.”
Adelaide plays Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Thursday, March 12 at 7.10pm.