AFL round 12: All the latest selection and injury news from the Power and Crows

The Crows’ drought at the ‘G is one of the more remarkable in footy, but Matthew Nicks is set to back in the side that smashed the Eagles to take down an in-form Hawthorn.

Adelaide will take an unchanged side to Melbourne as the Crows seek to end their MCG hoodoo against Hawthorn.

After belting West Coast by 99-points last time out, the Crows have decided against making any changes to their side as they take on the ever-impressing Hawks.

The Crows have not won at the MCG since 2017 and will be hoping this stability can get a breakthrough victory on Saturday.

“The fact we are going into the game against Hawthorn unchanged signifies how pleased we were with our performance against West Coast last weekend,” Crows footy boss Adam Kelly said.

“It really was a four-quarter performance where every player delivered on their role and contributed strongly.

“The Hawks are one of the form teams in the competition, having won four of their past six matches.

“It is a credit to them, the way they have recovered in the season and got their game going, they certainly present a great challenge for us on Saturday.

“We will contend that in recent history we have played well at the MCG, having been within a kick of Collingwood twice and Melbourne once in our only three games there in the past two years but we haven’t come home with four points.

“We would like to change the narrative and the only way to do that is by winning.”

Midfielder Sam Berry was the sub last week and has again been named on the interchange, along with Rory Laird, Luke Nankervis, Brayden Cook and Lachie Murphy.

In a boost to the Crows hopes of victory, Hawthorn will be without ruckman Lloyd Meek who will miss with an ankle injury.

Meek has been one of the most impressive ruckmen this season, and will be replaced by Ned Reeves.

Key defender Nick Murray will play against West Adelaide in the SANFL, his first game since sustaining an ACL injury last year.

He will play with brother Toby, who was selected by the Crows in the mid-season draft on Wednesday.

CROWS CAUTIOUS ON RANKINE AFTER EAGLES DEMOLITION

Adelaide assistant coach Scott Burns says the Crows could have to make an interesting decision with star Izak Rankine’s return from a hamstring injury.

Rankine missed the Crows’ convincing win over West Coast with the injury he suffered in the dying moments of their loss to Collingwood the week before.

The Crows take on Hawthorn at the MCG before two games at home against Richmond and Sydney before they have their mid-season bye.

Burns said Rankine was tracking to be in the mix for the clash against the ladder-leading Swans, but the Crows would not take a risk with their star.

“Hopefully but they certainly won’t take any risks,” he said.

“It is likely to be one of those borderline ones where he will probably be close to being available the week before the bye and it is whether you take that risk or not.”

While Crows’ senior coach Matthew Nicks said he was a bit nervous about how his side would cope offensively without Rankine they had 13 different goalkickers in the win over the Eagles.

Rankine is currently on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Burns, who is the Crows forwards coach, said he was very pleased with his side’s smalls with Josh Rachele kicking two goals as he got some more midfield time.

“I thought (Lachie) Murphy played an excellent game, that’s two weeks in a row now,” Burns said.

“Brayden Cook had an outstanding game and ‘Keaysey’ (Ben Keays) has probably been our most consistent permanent small forward for the year.

“It was really pleasing all those boys stood up and did a bit.”

With the Crows 61-points ahead of the Eagles at half-time they were able to sub out young gun midfielder Jake Soligo as part of “player management”.

Burns said some short breaks coming up for the Crows played a big part.

“It’s a management thing (and) what is happening in the game,” Burns said.

“We certainly had a good midfielder on the bench in Sammy Berry who came on and played really strong football for the last half as well.

“We are mindful of Soli, he’s not six-foot-three and 100kg and it’s his first year in the midfield.

“There’s a five-day break coming up after Hawthorn, so we are mindful of what lies ahead … We are certainly managing him to make sure he’s continuing his good form throughout the year.”

The Crows could soon have key defender Nick Murray available again as he closes in on a return to action following his ACL injury last year.

“Nick has been flying, if you asked him he wanted to play a month ago but we have been conservative with him,” he said.

“Hopefully in the next two to three weeks or soon he gets a chance at SANFL level.”

Originally published as AFL round 12: All the latest selection and injury news from the Power and Crows