Adelaide has fresh concerns over Rory Sloane and umpiring against Brisbane, says Mark Ricciuto
ADELAIDE has conceded Rory Sloane’s foot was trampled in its dogged win against Brisbane in Saturday night but indicated no recurrence of the champion’s Lisfranc injury.
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ADELAIDE assistant coach Scott Camporeale concedes Rory Sloane’s foot was trampled in its dogged win against Brisbane on Saturday night but indicated no recurrence of the champion’s Lisfranc injury.
The Crows emerged with fresh concerns over Sloane and standard of umpiring from the Gabba slog that kept their finals hopes alive.
Asked if Sloane would be available for the Crows’ crunch clash against Melbourne on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval, Camporeale said: “I think so, as far I know he got trodden on but he played the game out.
“If you have been trodden on with footy boots I dare say you would have a pretty sore foot. We will wait and see. As far as I know he is OK.”
Crows great Mark Ricciuto had questioned whether Sloane — who this month signed five-year deal to remain at West Lakes — had aggravated the injury that sidelined the brilliant midfielder between rounds five to 13 this season.
“I did hear him say that he did hurt his foot in the game, I don’t know if he just got stepped on, if he has re-injured his foot or if it was just a bruise,” Ricciuto told Triple M.
Sloane is four games back from the Lisfranc injury that ended Collingwood Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan’s career.
“Hopefully for Rory and the Crows sake he hasn’t redone his foot, we will have to wait and see,” Ricciuto added.
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AFL Match review boss Michael Christian on Monday must assess a head high tackle from Brisbane forward Daniel McStay that knocked out Rising Star-contending defender Tom Doedee early in the third term of the five-point win at the Gabba.
Rookie half forward Lachlan Murphy had his nose rearranged by a suspected errant elbow when sandwiched by two Brisbane players during a marking contest in the third term. Adelaide has noted through its social media arm that neither incident attracted a free from the umpires.
Camporeale is hopeful the rookie duo can pass concussion protocols and face the Demons.
“They seem OK but have to go through their concussion protocols. We will have to make a decision later in the week,” Camporeale said.
Adelaide will welcome back skipper Taylor Walker from suspension while Richard Douglas is still a week away from returning from an ankle strain.
Camporeale said star defender Brodie Smith could make a long-anticipated comeback from a knee reconstruction after impressing in the SANFL at the weekend with 25 touches.
“Clearly he got through the game, had a pretty good game, was up to an AFL level, 25 possessions and got through what he had to get through. We will have a discussion with high performance, Brodie and match committee,” said Camporeale.
“Clearly he is important for us, hasn’t played for 12 months which is a long time out of the game. We will make the right call for Brodie.”
Adelaide is in 12th place, a game and significant percentage behind Hawthorn in eighth spot but still in the race for final courtesy of Hugh Greenwood’s four-goal effort against the Lions.
“They just snuck in to keep their slim finals chances alive,” Ricciuto said.
“Greenwood did a fantastic job moving forward and that is something that Don Pyke has been created the last few weeks. Sloane and Bryce Gibbs have been rotating out of full forward as well and Greenwood was the goalkicker with four.”
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