ADELAIDE defender Nathan Bock has defended the club’s training policy, describing the recent spate of injuries as sheer bad luck.

The Crows are renowned for having one of the toughest training programs in the league.

On Monday forward Chris Knights became the second player at West Lakes, behind midfielder Nathan van Berlo, to be struck down by a stress fracture.

Knights (foot) is expected to miss four to six weeks, but there’s still no light at the end of the tunnel for van Berlo (back), who hasn’t joined in full training since August last year.

The pair joins Brett Burton (knee) and Jason Porplyzia (pelvis) on the list of players in doubt for the round one clash with Fremantle on March 28.

Bock, who has battled fitness concerns of his own, said it was better for the club to endure a bad run with injury now than during the season.

“Playing this sport you are always going to be prone to those sorts of injuries. We’ve just been a little bit unlucky to have them all come at once, but I’m sure those guys will get back to playing quite soon,” Bock said on Tuesday.

“As disappointing as it is for Knights and Brett Burton to go down, it also creates an opportunity for someone else to come into the team.”

Bock, 26, will return to the Crows line-up this week for the first time since coming from the ground with a heel injury in round 18 last year.

The All-Australian spent much of the off-season in a moonboot to protect the microfracture in his foot, but started running pain-free before Christmas and hasn’t looked back since.

“It was frustrating to miss the end of last season and to be on a modified program pre-Christmas, but I was always confident that by around this time I was going to be right to start playing again,” Bock said.

“I’m just looking forward to getting back out there and having a run around. My fitness base is there…I just want to get that match fitness back, so that come round one I’m ready to take on the season.”
 
Star duo Kurt Tippett and Scott Thompson are also expected to play against Collingwood in the NAB Challenge match in Alice Springs on Friday night.

But emerging midfielder Patrick Dangerfield, who strained his knee last month, will be rested with leg soreness.

Adelaide’s second pick in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, Jack Gunston, is in the running to replace Knights and Bock said the lanky 18-year-old had earned his chance.

“Jack has really showed some good promise over the pre-season,” he said.

“He’s a medium-type forward and he has good agility and skills. He reads the play pretty well, so if he gets a game it will be good to see.”

The Crows were embarrassed by their effort in the 56-point loss to Port Adelaide in round one of the NAB Cup.

Bock said Friday night’s clash with Collingwood couldn’t come soon enough for the players.

“We’ve obviously got a couple of guys out, but we’re just really excited to get back playing," he said.

"We want to show everyone that what we served up against Port wasn’t what we expect and wasn’t what we want to bring to the table.”