Adelaide could be bolstered by the returns of several stars for Saturday’s clash with Carlton.
All Australian Brodie Smith, best and fairest winners Rory Sloane and Richard Douglas and Rising Star runner-up Brad Crouch all hope to be available for selection at either AFL or SANFL level.
Smith has been sidelined for the past fortnight after sustaining his second concussion of the season in a sickening head clash with St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt in Round Seven.
Crows Head of Football David Noble said Smith would aim to complete training this week.
“Brodie will continue to follow the normal concussion protocols,” Noble said.
“Everything is tracking in the direction that it needs to there.”
Sloane has missed three weeks following surgery to repair a fractured cheekbone, while Douglas hasn’t played since Round Five because of a foot complaint. Crouch, who had surgery to repair a fractured foot, last played in the final round of the NAB Challenge in February.
“Richard Douglas, Brad Crouch and Rory Sloane will all be back in training this week,” Noble said.
“They’ll have to complete the full week of training and their testing by the end of the week, but we’re confident that all three will be available.
“Whether or not they all end up coming back into the AFL team, that’ll be up to Phil (Walsh) later in the week.”
Wingman Ricky Henderson will also need to get through training to show he’s recovered from a back complaint, which has seen him withdrawn from the Crows team in each of the last two weeks.
“It’s a bit of a day-by-day proposition at the moment with the soreness in his back,” Noble said.
“We’re confident that he’ll get there by the end of the week, but he’ll have to go through a test phase this week just to make sure we’ve got enough training under his belt.”
Trade period recruit Luke Lowden, who missed the SANFL clash with Central District on Saturday because of a sore Achilles and illness, also aims to return to the playing field this week. Adelaide’s AFL team takes on the Blues at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, while the SANFL team faces Sturt at Unley on Sunday.
The Club reported no new injuries at either level on the weekend. Defender Sam Shaw and young midfielder Rory Atkins both made successful comebacks from long-term injuries in the State League, while Mitch McGovern (Achilles) also removed his name from the injury list.
Sam Kerridge is sporting a moon boot after badly spraining his ankle in Adelaide’s loss to Greater Western Sydney in Round Eight. He’s expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Sam Siggins (illness) will be aiming to return after the AFL/SANFL bye in Round 11.
Andy Otten continues to progress well in his rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction, while draftee Harry Dear has started running following shoulder surgery. Matthew Jaensch will miss the rest of the season after successful surgery to repair a ruptured ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament).
Injury Update as of Monday, June 1
Brodie Smith (concussion) – Test
Rory Sloane (cheekbone) – Test
Richard Douglas (foot) – Test
Brad Crouch (foot) – Test
Ricky Henderson (back) – Test
Luke Lowden (Achilles/Illness – Test
Sam Siggins (illness) – 1 week
Sam Kerridge (ankle) – 4-6 weeks
Andy Otten (knee) – TBA
Harry Dear (shoulder) – TBA
Matthew Jaensch (knee) – Season
Brent Reilly (fractured skull) – Retired
