Crows coach Brenton Sanderson says he sympathises with the plight of forward Tom Lynch, who will miss Saturday night’s blockbuster against Richmond because of a neck complaint.

Lynch was stretchered off following a sickening collision in the second quarter of Adelaide’s big win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday. The Club’s 2013 leading goalkicker was taken to hospital for precautionary scans and released. However, he’s still feeling the effects of the head-on contact with Lions big man Justin Clarke and wasn’t considered for selection this week.

Lynch has been criticised for ‘ducking’ his head into the collision. Sanderson didn’t condone the action, but said it was important to consider Lynch’s injury history, which includes recent surgery to repair a badly fractured jaw as a result of the controversial bump from Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney earlier this season.

“I feel a bit for Tommy because he’s been criticised a bit this week for ducking his head. Don’t forget, out here (at Adelaide Oval) against Melbourne when he came out and lifted his head he got his jaw smashed in half.  I think this time, instead of lifting his head up in the contest he kept his head down,” Sanderson said.

“It could’ve been disastrous and it’s not good. We instruct our players to spin out of trouble or fend off if they can. It could’ve been a lot worse. It looked really bad on the vision. Unfortunately, Lynchy couldn’t get on the track this week because he was still too sore. I think it’ll be a bit clearer for him on Monday or Tuesday next week when the swelling goes down. We’ll probably have a bit more information.

“We’re disappointed for Tommy because he just can’t get any consistency or continuity with his training. It’s not bad for Tommy. He’s still got a bit of tingling in his fingers and any neck injury we’re obviously not going to take any risk with. We’ll make a smart decision with how we look after him.”

Speaking on the ‘People’s Podcast’ Lynch admitted it was a “scary” situation for he and his family.

“It was very scary, but I’m glad everything has come back okay at his stage. I still have to have a few more scans, but hopefully it’ll all be alright,” Lynch said.

Veteran midfielder Scott Thompson is expected to be fit for Adelaide’s trip to Tasmania to play North Melbourne next week.

On Thursday, Thompson was ruled out for a second straight week because of a back-related hamstring complaint.

“Thommo was really close this week. He’s almost certainly going to play next week,” Sanderson said.

“We just needed to be sure. We’re currently 0-3 when we’ve made the call on Thommo (to play this season). He hasn’t been able to get through the last three times we’ve played him. Particularly at this time of year, we had to be sure he could get through a good training block before we could expose him to another AFL game. He’s comfortable with that and he’s had a couple of really good training sessions. He’s just not quite right for this week.”

Sam Shaw comes into the team to replace injured defender Andy Otten.

Shaw earned a Rising Star nomination in 2012, but has been hampered by injuries since. Sanderson said the versatile tall would have an opportunity to cement his place in the team.

“For us, Sam is the perfect, versatile player. He’s 192 centimetres, a left-footer and can play tall or small,” Sanderson said.

“He comes into the team at the right time of the year. It’s just unfortunate it had to be because Andy is injured.”

The Crows will take on one of the in-form teams of the competition in Richmond this weekend.

The Tigers have won their last six games to rocket back into finals contention. Adelaide restored its place in the final eight last week, but must keep winning to keep the other contenders at bay.

“The stage is set. It’s going to be a blockbuster,” Sanderson said of the sold-out match.

“The Tigers are red hot. Their contested ball numbers are really good. They’re averaging 20+ contested ball (compared to their direct opponents) in the last month. They’re a side full of talent. It’s the No.1 and No.2 contested ball sides (of the last month) and No.1 and No.2 clearance teams (of the last month).

“We’ll have to be at our best because this is a very good team we’re playing.”

Sanderson said his players had recovered well from the trip to Brisbane and subsequent six-day breaks between games.

“The players have been great. They’re ready,” he said.

“We’ve won on a six-day break before, coming back from Perth earlier this year we beat North Melbourne here. It’s just the reality of the competition. Sometimes, you have to get yourself up off a six-day break and they (Richmond) are coming off eight.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s the first game of the season, Round 21 or finals, there will be a point in this game where all of our players are exhausted and Richmond will be the same. It’s the way the game is played now. It’s important that in those times … we have to be able to push ourselves mentally and physically harder than Richmond do.

“The side that is able to execute best under pressure will win the game. Hopefully, it’s us.”