AFL 2022 pre-season: All the latest training news from Adelaide

Adelaide has been forced to scrap an internal trial after the club was hit by a Covid outbreak on top of a host of injuries to key players.

Adelaide has been forced to scrap its internal trial on Friday after the club list was hit by Covid-19 and injuries.

The Crows announced on Wednesday afternoon it could no longer push on with its key pre-season hitout on Friday.

Sixteen Crows were ruled out through a combination of Covid-19, being classed as a close contact and injuries.

A “small” number of staff members have also either tested positive or been classed as a close contact.

It is understood that the club only had a handful of players in the Covid-19 protocols on Monday, but the outbreak quickly increased.

Combined with players such as Paul Seedsman (concussion), Lachie Murphy (neck) and Elliott Himmelberg (hamstring) all sidelined, and Tom Doedee no certainty to take part as he recovers from a concussion himself.

This combined with the outbreak forced the Crows to pull the pin on the hitout.

Instead of the internal trial the Crows will hold a regular training session at West Lakes.

It is understood the remaining players have been training and meeting in small groups this week to minimise any potential risk.

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The Crows have been forced to scrap a pre-season intraclub hitout. Picture: Emma Brasier

Crows head of football Adam Kelly said it was disappointing for the players and that those who had tested positive were only returning mild symptoms.

“This pandemic has taught us to prepare for all scenarios and be flexible with our planning, and while cancelling the practice game is not ideal, we do not anticipate it having a significant impact on our preparation for the season ahead,” he said.

“Our players have had a very strong pre-season and we are excited about taking that momentum into games.”

Adelaide high performance manager Darren Burgess said over two thirds of the Crows list had gotten Covid-19 so far.

“There’s probably about a bit less than a third (who haven’t gotten Covid yet),” he said on FIVEaa.

The Crows, and Port Adelaide, have to navigate far stricter definitions around what is a close contact than their counterparts in Victoria, NSW and Queensland.

“It is certainly different to what is in place in other states,” Burgess said.

“That’s what we are dealing with and that is OK, we will just play the cards that we are dealt.”

The Crows will fly to Queensland next week to take on Brisbane in a practice match in the Gold Coast.

Burgess said the Crows are expecting to have 31 players available for that match at the moment so that game is expected to go ahead.

“As long as we can field a team, which we can, we have around 30 players who can play next week against Brisbane then I don’t think there is an issue,” he said.

“I think there is a real positive in terms of players getting a game who might not have gotten a game.

“So as long as we can get 24, 25, 26 to take up I’m OK.”

The Crows are then scheduled to take on Port Adelaide on March 5 at Richmond Oval before taking on Fremantle at the Adelaide Oval in Round 1.

Selection whispers: Draftee looms as Round 1 bolter

Tom Doedee took a big step towards featuring in Adelaide’s internal trial on Friday as he recovers from a concussion.

The Crows’ captain-in-waiting suffered a concussion in training 12 days ago and on Monday he was taking part in match simulation — albeit it wearing a fluoro hat.

The Crows will have their internal trial on Friday, ahead of a trip to Queensland to take on Brisbane in a practice game the following week and Doedee could now play a part in the hit-up as he continues to recover strongly from a concussion.

While Doedee was in the thick of things at West Lakes on Monday, Paul Seedsman was not outside as he continues to deal with lingering concussion symptoms from one he copped pre-Christmas.

Tom Doedee was back in action after a concussion. Picture: Sarah Reed

Doedee was in the thick of things at West Lakes. Picture: Sarah Reed

Crows senior Matthew Nicks said on Triple M that Seedsman was having “ups and downs” with his recovery.

Boom recruit Jordan Dawson left the track early on Monday, but this was just management ahead of Friday’s internal trial.

Defender Andrew McPherson was also managed on Monday, while Sam Berry copped a knock to the shin in match sim but was OK.

Lachie Murphy (neck surgery) and Elliott Himmelberg (hamstring) trained away from the main group.

Selection hints

The Crows coaches slightly changed things up with the “stronger” blue side on Monday.

Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty were in the whites, which left Taylor Walker and youngster Lachie Gollant forward for the blues.

After being on the yellow team on Friday Lachie Sholl and Nick Murray were both on the blue side.

Doedee played for the whites alongside Fischer McAsey and James Borlase in defence.

Draftee Jake Soligo continues to loom as a potential bolter, in the blue side once again — even with Josh Rachele back on the track.

Soligo laid an impressive tackle on fellow youngster Luke Pedlar and looked solid with the ball in hand.

Sholl said Soligo, and the other draftees had settled in well.

“Jakey is doing really well, he’s been training really well and looks the goods,” he said.

Crows draftee Jake Soligo continues to exceed all expectations.

Crouching Tiger

The blue midfield had the experience with Reilly O’Brien, Rory Sloane, Rory Laird, Ben Keays and Matt Crouch lining up.

Crouch has been on the weaker sides in recent weeks but with games against other sides starting in just under two weeks he seems to be returning to top form at the right time.

Sholl said it was a huge boost for the Crows.

“He brings a lot of experience along with the things he is so good at, his ball winning ability and his on ground leadership as well,” he said.

“He makes everyone walk a little bit taller with the experience he has got and you walk taller with him too.”

Matt Crouch is building nicely towards Round 1. Picture: Tom Huntley

He was shadowed by Jackson Hately, who will be looking for a big year after just the three games in 2021.

The former GWS Giant was able to find a fair amount of the ball, but at 191cm he just bounced off the 177cm Laird when he tried to tackle the Crows reigning club champion.

“No doubt” over Milera

Wayne Milera is continuing to make solid progress this pre-season as he recovers from a torn patella.

While he didn’t take part in a hard running session set for players by Darren Burgess at the end of the session — he along with Shane McAdam, Crouch and McAsey did their own running after some quick handballs — he is getting through match sim.

Again playing for the blue side Milera looks to be on track for Round 1 in good news for the Crows.

Wayne Milera (yellow bib) is on track for Round 1. Picture: Emma Brasier

Sholl said while he has been out of action for the best part of two years he was confident Milera would return to his best.

“There’s no doubt that he can get back to his best,” he said.

“I’m not sure what it looks like in terms of games and in terms of management but he’s been back there for a while and it has been good to watch him go about his business.

“Because he’s a super player and he has worked really hard to get back to where he has been so it will be great to see him get back to that level.”

Originally published as AFL 2022 pre-season: All the latest training news from Adelaide