Kyle Cheney could return to bolster Adelaide’s defence for Showdown XXXVIII on Sunday.
Cheney, who impressed in the opening two matches of the season, has missed the past fortnight with a minor hamstring strain. The trade period recruit is one of a handful of Crows who will face fitness tests this week.
Small defender Rory Laird and rookie Jack Osborn will both be assessed after being concussed on the weekend. Laird received an errant forearm to his head during the third quarter of Adelaide’s loss to the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. He flew home with the team and will adhere to concussion protocols, which will determine his availability for the Showdown. Osborn sustained a head knock early in the Club’s SANFL draw on Friday night and didn’t return to the field.
Midfielder Sam Kerridge also suffered a blow in his SANFL comeback from a hamstring injury. Kerridge sustained a corked thigh in the opening term at Glenelg and was unable to play out the game.
Utility James Podsiadly will miss at least another fortnight with a fracture in his back. Young defender Sam Siggins (buttock) is also aiming to return in two weeks. Ruckman Luke Lowden and Mitch McGovern, who both have Achilles issues, are making good progress.
Sam Shaw (hamstring), Riley Knight (ankle) and Rory Atkins (knee) have all upped the ante in their rehabilitation from long-term injuries.
Shaw and Knight are joining in select training drills with the main group, and are hopeful of playing in a month. Atkins has started running for the first time since injuring his posterior cruciate ligament at training in the pre-season. Brad Crouch is also gradually starting to increase his training load after foot surgery.
Andy Otten continues to make excellent progress in his recovery from a second knee reconstruction, but no time frame has been put on his return at this stage.
Young forward Harry Dear had surgery on his injured shoulder in Melbourne last week and will spend several months on the sidelines. Veteran defender Brent Reilly (fractured skull) remains on the long-term injury list.
Injury list as of Monday, April 27
Kyle Cheney (hamstring) – Test
Rory Laird (concussion) – Test
Sam Kerridge (corked thigh) – Test
Jack Osborn (concussion) – Test
Luke Lowden (Achilles) – 1-2 weeks
Mitch McGovern (Achilles) – 1-2 weeks
Sam Siggins (buttock) – 2 weeks
James Podsiadly (back) – 2-3 weeks
Riley Knight (ankle) – 3-4 weeks
Sam Shaw (hamstring) – 3-4 weeks
Brad Crouch (foot) – 4 weeks
Rory Atkins (knee) – 4-6 weeks
Andy Otten (knee) – TBA
Harry Dear (shoulder) – TBA
Brent Reilly (fractured skull) – TBA (long-term injury list)
