Nathan van Berlo has been the first of several Crows to have post-season operations.

The midfielder, who had battled thigh and groin soreness for the last part of the season, had adductor release surgery on Tuesday but will be ready for the start of the pre-season in two months.

Ben Rutten today will have a knee arthroscopy and also booked in for surgery over the next week are Jason Porplyzia (shoulder) and Scott Stevens (knee arthroscopy). Ruckman Ivan Maric (hip) and Robert Shirley (knee) may also require operations while Jonathon Griffin had hip surgery last week.

Porplyzia will be the only one of this group who will not be able to train with the main group from the start of the 2009 campaign. However, he should be ready to be involved in most training drills in January.

The players, this week involved in meetings and medical screenings, start their annual leave on Friday.

The next time the players gather will be for the club champion presentation dinner on Friday, October 3.

The full squad starts pre-season training on Thursday, November 13.