Is Adelaide’s season already under pressure before it begins? The club faces a growing injury toll as Izak Rankine undergoes hamstring scans after a troubling moment at training, leaving the Crows short on depth for their Friday practice match against Port Adelaide.
Coach Matthew Nicks remains confident Callum Ah Chee will be ready for the season opener versus Collingwood, despite his hamstring strain from the AAMI AFL Origin. The two-time Brisbane premiership winner joined the Crows last off-season and continues to be viewed as a strong chances to line up in round one. Nicks explained that Ah Chee’s minor issue is progressing well and could miss the next two practice matches, with a decision looming as that week approaches.
Isaac Cumming, formerly with the Giants, also won’t play against the Power due to hamstring tightness. The Crows hope he can travel to Perth for a potential appearance in the following week’s AAMI Community Series, while Mitch Hinge sits out with a back problem.
Sid Draper, Adelaide’s top pick from the 2024 draft, has battled groin trouble over the summer and faces a delayed start. Nicks offered a vision for Draper: a highly explosive talent who needs to build body balance and resilience. Draper did complete a full training session and will be monitored to decide if he progresses into upcoming practice games.
Rankine’s update is due on Thursday, though he remains suspended from round one after last year’s homophobic slur controversy, keeping him ineligible for the season’s opener.
The injury run has also claimed key players, including defender Mark Keane (long-term leg injury) and rising star Dan Curtin (knee surgery). Nicks indicated the club may have to navigate without these incumbents until mid-season, viewing the hardship as a potential learning curve for younger players.
"In the bigger picture, this could be a blessing in disguise for a young guy like Curtin, who’s already dealt with patella issues. It gives him a real chance to fortify that area," Nicks said. "Losing Keane and Curtin is tough for us as a group, since both are influential. Still, we’ve got players ready to step in, knowing we might not see them back until mid-year at best."
For more, listen to Cal Twomey’s full interview with Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks on the Your Coach podcast in the coming days.
