Erin Phillips ruled out for Crows AFLW clash with Geelong
Adelaide Crows co-captain Erin Phillips has been ruled out of Sunday’s Round 3 AFLW clash with Geelong as she continues her recovery from a serious knee injury.
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Superstar Crow Erin Phillips will miss Sunday’s AFLW clash against Geelong and her immediate playing future remains clouded.
Superstar Crow Erin Phillips will miss Sunday’s AFLW clash against Geelong and her immediate playing future remains clouded.
While Phillips – on the comeback trail from a left knee reconstruction – had hoped to play in the premier’s opening game of the season, she will now miss her third consecutive match and coach Matthew Clarke is unclear when she will return.
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But there was good news with star defender Courtney Cramey (groin) proving her fitness at training and being selected for her first game for the season.
Ruck Rhiannon Metcalfe will also make her return in the SANFLW on Friday night after missing last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The Crows will blood young ruck Montanna McKinnon against the Cats.
Dual AFLW best and fairest Phillips hasn’t played since rupturing the ACL in her left knee in last year’s grand final win against Carlton in March.
Clarke said Phillips was getting close to a return but still had some boxes to tick with her rehabilitation.
“She’s progressing really well but she’s not fully cleared yet, so the Erin watch will have to go on for another week,” Clarke said.
“It's just continuity, making sure she’s done all the work. She has certain boxes that still need to be ticked from the medical point of view.
“They need to see that done, not just once, but a couple of times.
“Once she’s cleared, I’ll pick her. She’s getting pretty close.”
While Phillips will miss Sunday’s clash at Kardinia Park, Clarke said the return through the local league of key ruck Metcalfe – a member of Adelaide’s 2017 premiership team – was important.
She will play for Woodville-West Torrens against Norwood at Richmond Oval on Friday night.
“Rhi gets her chance, so we’re really excited and looking forward to how she goes,’’ Clarke said.
“It’s super exciting because while the injuries we’ve had have been a frustrating, they are starting to come back.’’
Adelaide, 1-1 after a stirring come-from-behind home win against St Kilda last Sunday, is playing a team that remains winless, having lost to Fremantle and Brisbane.
But Clarke said the Crows were expecting a tough challenge at the Cattery.
“Their formline is solid, they have some exciting young talent and I like the style of football they play,’’ he said.
“It’s going to be a good challenge, particularly on their home deck, that’s not insignificant.’’