Adelaide skipper Taylor Walker says reports Brad Crouch is out for the season is news to him

ADELAIDE skipper Taylor Walker says reports injury-ravaged midfielder Brad Crouch is out for the season with a groin tear is ‘news to him’.

Adelaide Crow Brad Crouch, middle, at a Crows super clinic at Strathalbyn Oval earlier this year. Picture: Dylan Coker

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ADELAIDE heavyweights Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts have dismissed reports injury ravaged midfielder Brad Crouch is out for the season with a groin tear.

Crouch, 24, played a career-high 20 games last season in Adelaide’s push to the AFL grand final last against Richmond but hasn’t hit the park this campaign.

“That’s news to me that he is having surgery. Brad is still having some troubles with his groins but like anything he consults with his physios and doctors and we have a plan,” said Walker.

“Fingers crossed he continues on that plan. He is doing a little bit but hopefully we get Bradley back ASAP.”

Adelaide’s Taylor Walker and Brad Crouch. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Former Hawthorn and Gold Coast enforcer Campbell Brown said on Channel 7’s Talking Footy that Crouch was “done” for the season which would represent a massive blow to an Adelaide side missing Rory Sloane indefinitely with a (Lisfranc) footy condition.

“Brad Crouch has had some groin issues, is consulting a surgeon this week and will need surgery and more than likely his season will be over,” said Brown of 64-game on-baller Brad Crouch.

“He’s done, won’t play again.”

BREAKING | @browndogg_30x reporting @adelaide_fc's Brad Crouch requires surgery and is done for the year.#TalkingFooty #7AFL pic.twitter.com/N5NNHShmMe

— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 14, 2018

Betts indicated Brown’s assertion was off the mark.

“That is no true, Crouchy is keeping on with his rehab. It may take time, he is doing well. I think he will be back, it would be fantastic to have Crouchy back,” said Betts.

Betts backed Sloane to resume soon from the foot injury that has sidelined the dual club champion since round four.

“Rory will be back this year, miss maybe one or two,” Betts told FIVEaa

Walker conceded star utility Mitch McGovern was in doubt for Friday’s clash against Western Bulldogs after incurring a head knock in the collision with Richard Douglas that allowed Steve Motlop to swoop and kick the winning goal in Showdown 44.

“It was good for those two guys to go at the footy, you wouldn’t want to do it any other way. McGovern pulled up a bit saw in the head,” Walker told Triple M’s Roo and Ditts.

Crows trainers with Mitch McGovern after clashing with Richard Douglas in the dying seconds of the Showdown. Picture Sarah Reed

Walker is also battling back and glute soreness having returned against Port Adelaide from a hamstring strain.

“My back and glute have been causing me a bit of stiffness and referred pain,” said Walker.

“I will have to get through the main session tomorrow.”

However, Walker says six players are available for selection in Friday night’s clash with Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval.

Curtly Hampton, Sam Gibson, Alex Keath, Kyle Hartigan, Riley Knight and

Wayne Milera will press for senior recalls.

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