Adelaide will enter Round Two with a nearly full-strength squad, Adelaide science and medical coordinator Steve Saunders has confirmed.
Riley Knight will be the only Crow unavailable for selection in Round Two, with every other player, including Tom Doedee, available against the Power on June 13.
“As Riley completed high level training loads during the early COVID-19 period, he had some trouble with the region of the heel bone where a small bone spur was removed,” Saunder said.
“This has required a reduction in running volume over the past 2-3 weeks.
“We anticipate needing to progress running slowly over the next 4-6 weeks before Riley is ready to return to high training loads and games’.
“This is obviously disappointing for Riley. He has worked hard to be ready for the return to games but will need some more time.”
Although tough for Knight, the news for Doedee was much more positive.
“Tom has done an enormous amount of work over the last year in preparing for his return to AFL football after undergoing ACL reconstruction following the Round One Hawthorn game in 2019,” Saunders said.
“He has been in great condition for some time now and is looking forward to the re-introduction of contact training that will prepare him for the recommencement of the 2020 season.
“It’s certainly been a long journey for Tom. He has been so professional, and remained committed to each stage of his rehabilitation. We certainly can’t wait to see him back playing football again.”
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Adelaide’s players returned to contact training on Monday following an extended isolation period enforced by State and Federal Governments as well as the AFL.
Saunders praised the players efforts to maintain fitness during the suspended period.
“Prior to COVID-19, the entire list had completed a very targeted full preseason program with good gains evident in critical areas,” he said.
“While the COVID period has been difficult for all, the group has continued to work hard and are looking forward to playing again.”
