Report of backman Kyle Hartigan could open door for Ricky Henderson

RUNNING defender Ricky Henderson could be on standby as a replacement for key backman Kyle Hartigan if he is suspended for tripping North Melbourne’s Lindsay Thomas.

Reported ... Crows defender Kyle Hartigan. Picture: Sarah Reed

RUNNING defender Ricky Henderson could be on standby as a replacement for key backman Kyle Hartigan if he is suspended for tripping North Melbourne’s Lindsay Thomas in Adelaide’s elimination final win on Saturday night.

The Crows got through the game without any injuries, meaning Hartigan looms as possibly the only forced change to the team for the semi-final if he is banned by the match review panel.

The 24-year-old was reported by umpire Chris Kamolins in the second quarter when he extended his left leg and made contact with Thomas’ knee/shin.

Hartigan was wrong-footed by Thomas who managed to evade the key defender on the half-forward-flank, but as Thomas moved to his right Hartigan’s left leg stopped him in his tracks.

Thomas hit the ground and rolled in pain, which generated loud boos from the Adelaide crowd.

Crows coach Don Pyke offered little comment on the incident post-match.

“Well see how that ... I can’t really comment on it, we’ll see what happens out of the tribunal process,” he said.

Asked how big a dilemma it would pose to plan for Sydney’s two key forwards in Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett without Hartigan, Pyke was equally as frank.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” he said.

If Hartigan is suspended, it could open the door for Henderson — who was considered unlucky to be dropped after the Round 23 loss to West Coast — to return to play the Swans.

Given it’s not a like-for-like swap it would mean the Crows would need to reshuffle their backline and Kyle Cheney may get a big job.

Hartigan has enjoyed a career-best season playing 22 games and last night did a good job shutting down dangerous Kangaroos forward Drew Petrie, while Daniel Talia also kept Ben Brown goalless.

Hartigan was charged with rough conduct in the Round 6 win over Fremantle but escaped suspension with a $1000 fine.

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Originally published as Report of backman Kyle Hartigan could open door for Ricky Henderson