Adelaide Crows linkman Tom Lynch in doubt for Top End clash with Melbourne as he recovers from bout of viral meningitis

ADELAIDE linkman Tom Lynch is still without a medical clearance to resume full training

Adelaide Crows forward Tom Lynch could miss a third game as he recovers from a scary bout of viral meningitis. Picture: Sarah Reed

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CROWS forward Tom Lynch’s push to return to AFL action — after a scary bout of viral meningitis — remains in the hands of the Adelaide Football Club medicos.

Lynch is stepping up his running this week after missing two games — against Carlton and AFL premier Western Bulldogs — but is still without a medical clearance to resume full training.

This puts a difficult read on his mission to be back as the vital linkman in Adelaide’s potent attack for the return bout with Melbourne in Darwin on Saturday night.

“He’s going all right ... but it is not a coaches’ call,” Crows assistant coach Matthew Clarke said at West Lakes on Monday.

Adelaide forward Tom Lynch has returned to running duties but his AFL return is in the hands of medicos. Picture: Sarah Reed

Adelaide is expected to recall up rookie-listed midfielder Hugh Greenwood who was “rested” from the 59-point win against the Bulldogs on Friday night. But there is still no definitive policy on how the Crows will manage their players to ensure they avoid fatigue leading to September’s top-eight finals series where Adelaide would be making its third consecutive appearance.

“It is case by case,” Clarke said. “We’ll make sure we have a squad in really good form — and good health. If we see a player under duress (he will be rested) but if he is right to play, we’ll play them.”

Greenwood’s anticipated return would bring into question whether Adelaide coach Don Pyke persists with veteran midfielder Scott Thompson — or opts to rest second-year player Wayne Milera, who has appeared less productive in recent games.

Clarke was enthusiastic in his review of both Thompson and Milera on Monday.

“(Wayne) what he did (against the Bulldogs) was not big in possessions, but his quality was really good,” Clarke said. “We’d like him to get more footy. And I do like to see the ball in his hands.”

Thompson may earn his second AFL game of the season to work as a foil to the tagging expected of All-Australian vice-captain and Crows club champion Rory Sloane.

Adelaide will play for premiership points for the first time in Darwin. There also will be the challenge of responding to the 41-point loss to the Demons at Adelaide Oval in mid-May.

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