THE RETURN of Ricky Henderson for Adelaide's clash against Greater Western Sydney is a huge morale boost for the playing group, says forward Tom Lynch
Henderson horrifically broke his leg at training in February before returning to the SANFL three weeks ago. He would have been available for AFL selection last week but corked his hip in his comeback game.
The versatile 25-year-old is a much-loved figure at West Lakes and a crucial player structurally when firing.
Lynch, who also provided the Crows with a timely boost when he returned to the side last week from a broken jaw, said the players were ecstatic to have Henderson back in the team.
"That is huge, Rick's worked so hard since he went down and has such a great personality – everyone loves him around the footy club," Lynch told AFL.com.au.
"It really deflated us all at the time when it happened and to see how hard he's been working, especially with Nathan van Berlo, who's been a great person to train with for Rick because of how hard he works.
"We know what we're going to get with Rick – he works, communicates and reads the play so well…he's so important to our structure."
The Crows flew to Sydney on Friday morning ahead of their clash at Spotless Stadium on Saturday with a spot in the top eight possibly up for grabs depending on other results.
Lynch has fond memories of the venue, becoming the first Crow since Tony Modra to boot a double-figure bag of goals when he nailed 10 majors against the Giants in round seven last year.
Since then, Adelaide's forward line has seen the return of Taylor Walker and the introduction of James Podsiadly and Eddie Betts, as well as the development of Josh Jenkins.
Lynch said his role in a superior forward line to last year hadn't changed, but that the possibility of another massive haul were slim.
"My role's still the same as it was last year, playing that high half-forward role as a hard-working forward both in attack and defence," he said.
"Last year against GWS that was a bit of a unique game, I think we had a few forwards out and it certainly helped when all the boys were trying to find me.
"It'd be nice to be able to do that every week but I was very lucky."
After breaking his jaw in a collision with Melbourne's Jack Viney in round six, Lynch was left frustrated watching from the sidelines as Adelaide's form fluctuated from week to week.
But said his frustration was born from the knowledge of "how hard the boys are working behind the scenes".
"It's not through lack of effort, they're really trying, we're just getting let down at times with our execution and our turnovers," he said.
"We feel as that if we keep working hard and doing what we're doing that we'll rectify that and turn it around."
