Experienced Crows Erin Phillips and Rhiannon Metcalfe will miss Adelaide’s Round One clash with Brisbane on Saturday as they continue their rehabilitation.
Metcalfe missed the 2019 season after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a pre-season trial match, while Phillips tore her ACL in the Crows’ 2019 grand final victory.
Crows General Manager of Football Administration Phil Harper said both players were on track to return some time this month, but the medical staff had not made them available this weekend.
“Both would like to play this week, however the Club will be guided by our medical specialists who will work with the players to ensure as little risk as possible is taken,” Harper said.
“We are unable to put an exact timeline on return to play for them at this stage, they still have some boxes to tick.”
Young forward Chloe Scheer, who also suffered an ACL injury in the 2019 grand final, has also been ruled out.
The 20-year-old experienced a minor set back in her rehabilitation at training last week and will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday.
“Chloe had some swelling in her knee last week and a decision has been made to have a quick clean out, which is not uncommon with ACL injuries,” Harper said.
“The surgery will put her back a couple of weeks, but we still expect to see her back in the tricolours this season.”
Winger Deni Varnhagen will also miss this week’s game after injuring her knee in the Crows’ trial match win over Fremantle on January 25.
Scans confirmed the 27-year-old had escaped serious injury, however she is still expected to miss at least the opening month of the season.
“Deni is recovering as expected but her injury was the result of a high impact collision and will take time to heal,” Harper said.
“We will have a clearer understanding of her return to play time frame in the coming weeks.”
Adelaide will travel to Hickey Park in Queensland this weekend to face the Lions from 4.10pm AEST on Saturday, February 8.
The Crows will announce their Round One side on Thursday at 5.30pm ACST.
