Doughty, 32, has played every game this season, providing experience and leadership to the developing Crows defence. Coach Brenton Sanderson said Doughty made the decision - in conjunction with the Club - to attend the birth several weeks ago.
“Michael’s wife is having a baby anytime soon, so rather than taking him up to Sydney and have him waiting by the phone, we told him that rather than the risk of getting up there and having to come back (he can stay in Adelaide),” Sanderson said on Wednesday.
“Being their first child, he’s pretty keen to stay home this week. He hasn’t missed a game and has played very well this season, so it’s probably an opportunity for him to be at the birth of his first child.”
Sanderson dismissed suggestions Adelaide could ‘rest’ players for the match against newcomers GWS, saying Doughty was the only uninjured player who would miss the trip to Western Sydney.
“Dogga (Doughty) would’ve stayed in Adelaide (regardless of which team we were playing). We spoke about it around six weeks ago. He was keen to stay, and there was no pressure from us,” he said.
“McKernan (fractured jaw) is out and we’ll leave Kurt Tippett (concussion) until the last moment … so we probably haven’t got the luxury to rest players. We’ll be putting out a really strong 22 this week.”
Tippett and injured small forwards Ian Callinan and Jared Petrenko were restricted to light duties at training on Wednesday morning. Sanderson said the trio would join in Thursday’s main session and would be given until the “last moment” to prove their fitness for the GWS clash.
