Adelaide Crows track watch: Key forward Elliott Himmelberg looms as key defence option, Rory Sloane back from hamstring injury

Adelaide is throwing the magnets around in its quest to fill significant holes in its backline in 2024, with a key forward set to head to defence, while a veteran is back on the track. MATT TURNER has all the details.

Elliott Himmelberg is set for a positional switch in 2024, emerging as a backline alternative for Adelaide.

The 25 year old has played in attack for the bulk of his 41-game, seven-season career but Nick Murray’s anterior cruciate ligament injury and Tom Doedee’s departure to Brisbane have opened the door for a move to defence.

Himmelberg has trained with the backline since rejoining the main group this year following season-ending hamstring surgery.

Adelaide identified a shift to defence for him after rejecting a trade with GWS, where he had wanted to play alongside his brother, Harry.

With three key-defensive positions likely available and Murray out until late in the season, Himmelberg is expected to compete for spots with Jordon Butts, Chris Burgess, Josh Worrell, Dan Curtin, Mark Keane and James Borlase.

Himmelberg played in defence for his junior club, Redland, as well as at under-18 level for the Allies.

Elliott Himmelberg (left) is training with the Crows’ defenders. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Butts, 24, is suddenly the Crows’ most capped tall defender with 60 games.

Ex-Gold Coast swingman Burgess, 28, was a two-time VFL leading goalkicker and trained with Adelaide’s forwards before Christmas, but could be swung into the backline.

Worrell, 22, played the Crows’ last 11 games of 2023, taking his career tally to 17.

Curtin, 18 has impressed since being selected with pick 8 in November, training like a more seasoned player, rather than a draftee, to stake early claims for a round-1 debut.

Keane, 23, and Borlase, 21, played the final five and four matches respectively last season when Murray and Doedee were sidelined.

Himmelberg’s strong pre-season form last summer led to his selection – as a forward – in round 1 ahead of young gun Riley Thilthorpe.

But after recording 21 disposals, one goal and nine marks across Adelaide’s opening two losses, Himmelberg was dropped.

He did not return until round 10, was omitted again then had his season ended by a hamstring injury in August.

Himmelberg is eligible for free agency this year.

Rory Sloane has returned to main group training. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Veteran Rory Sloane is back training with the main group, returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him before Christmas and restricted him last week.

The 33 year old, who played all bar one game in 2023, was moving well in ball movement drills.

Half-back Wayne Milera has also reintegrated in full training after a hamstring issue pre-Christmas.

Ruck Reilly O’Brien has recovered from appendix surgery and returned to the fold, while midfielder Harry Schoenberg (achilles) has started running.

Schoenberg jogged on an anti-gravity treadmill on Monday in a significant step on the road to a comeback in the back half of the year.

Having rejuvenated his career and earnt a two-year extension, on-baller Matt Crouch is doing what he can to not to be overlooked again anytime soon.

He looks noticeably stronger and the former leadership group member is one of the more vocal players in drills.

Originally published as Adelaide Crows track watch: Key forward Elliott Himmelberg looms as key defence option, Rory Sloane back from hamstring injury