The Crows will be sweating on the fitness of several players ahead of Saturday night’s Indigenous Round clash with Fremantle at Adelaide Oval.
Small defenders Rory Laird and Luke Brown will adhere to concussion protocols after suffering head knocks in the Club’s loss to Greater Western Sydney.
Laird was taken from the ground on a stretcher in the third quarter following a head clash with teammate Jake Lever and took no further part in the game. Brown also finished the match on the interchange bench following a collision in the final term.
All Australian Brodie Smith, who was rested after suffering his second concussion of the season in the Round Seven win over St Kilda, will be assessed during the week. It’s also Laird’s second concussion for the year.
Head of Football David Noble said it was impossible to take a ‘one-size fits all’ approach to the three concussions.
“We know that each player can respond to concussion in different (ways),” Noble said.
“We’ll follow the protocols for all three of those guys and just see how they progress through the week in tests and a little bit of training in the latter part of the week.
“Hopefully, it would be nice to get all three of those guys up this week.”
Wingman Ricky Henderson was a late withdrawal from the match against GWS with a back complaint, and will need to prove his fitness ahead of Adelaide’s match against the unbeaten Dockers.
Young onballer Sam Kerridge, who was subbed out with an ankle injury in the third quarter on Saturday, requires further assessment to determine the extent of the damage. Kerridge has already been ruled out this week and appears set for a stint on the sidelines.
“It looks like it’s quite a severe ankle injury,” Noble said.
“We won’t know the extent of the injury for another 24 hours or so once we get some of that swelling down and a scan. Fingers crossed it’s not too bad, but certainly from the vision it didn’t look that great.”
In better news, Sam Shaw and Rory Atkins are on track to make their returns from long-term injuries in the SANFL this weekend.
Shaw hasn’t played at any level since undergoing major hamstring surgery at the end of last season. Atkins, who damaged his PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) at pre-season training in February, could also play his first game of the season against Central District.
Draftee Mitch McGovern, who has endured an interrupted start to his first year at Adelaide because of a sore Achilles, is also hopeful of lining up against the Bulldogs at Elizabeth on Saturday.
“It’s really exciting for Sam Shaw to be back after a long stint out with injury,” Noble said.
“If he gets through training this week, which we expect him to, he’ll be available for out State League team this week.”
Midfield trio Rory Sloane (cheekbone), Brad Crouch (foot) and Richard Douglas (foot) are making good progress in their rehabilitation. All three are back training and hope to be available for selection in two weeks.
Adelaide has two more matches against Fremantle and Carlton before a bye in Round 11.
Defender Andy Otten is more than nine months into his recovery from a second knee reconstruction and is eyeing a return to the football field in the second half of the season. Matthew Jaensch underwent a successful reconstruction on his left knee last week and is expected to be sidelined for 12 months.
Injury list as of Monday, May 25
Brodie Smith (concussion) – Test
Luke Brown (concussion) – Test
Rory Laird (concussion) – Test
Ricky Henderson (back) – Test
Rory Atkins (knee) – Test
Sam Shaw (hamstring) – Test
Mitch McGovern (Achilles) – Test
Brad Crouch (foot) – 2 weeks
Richard Douglas (foot) – 2 weeks
Rory Sloane (cheekbone) – 2-4 weeks
Sam Kerridge (ankle) – TBA
Andy Otten (knee) – TBA
Harry Dear (shoulder) – TBA
Matthew Jaensch (knee) – Season
Brent Reilly (fractured skull) – Retired
