AFL 2022 pre-season: All the Adelaide Crows news and intel

Two gun Crows who missed all of last year due to injury are building at the right time while a draftee continues to loom as a potential 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 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.

Doedee was back in action for the Crows after a concussion. 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.

Soligo is impressing at West Lakes. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

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.

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 Emma Brasier

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.

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 Adelaide Crows news and intel