Adelaide Crows News

Adelaide midfielder Nathan van Berlo could make his long-awaited comeback on Saturday in the SANFL.

"It was good to see him out there. He's been doing a heap of work behind the scenes on the bike, in the pool and running laps. It's enjoyable for him to be able to come out and complete a whole main session for us," Crows teammate Ben Rutten said of Van Berlo.

"He might have a bit of a run this week, but it'll obviously depend on how he pulls up from today. I think he's pretty keen to start getting back into things and I don't think he's restricted in any movement now, which is good."

Taylor Walker is being groomed to take on a new role as a forward who plays up a ground while having stints through the midfield since running time trials as fast as Adelaide's midfielders.

"We don't want Tex to get stuck deep in our forward line," Crows assistant coach David Noble said.

"He doesn't want to do that and as coaches we're not doing our job if we don't develop other areas of his game. He needs to have the capacity to do more and what he's shown us this pre-season is that he does."

A depleted Adelaide is confident champion Andrew McLeod will be a dangerous part of its early season forward mix after observing the veteran in a NAB Challenge match against Collingwood.

"Andrew played half of his game against Collingwood last week in the front half and his defensive action, his tackling and his pressure around the ground-ball in those sort of conditions was just exceptional," Noble said.

"I think you'd be more than happy to have him lining up forward for you against any opposition."

Nathan van Berlo undergoes a two-hour procedure to relieve pain in his troublesome back, allowing him to resume training.

"He felt a lot better after training so we'll continue to try to progress him a lot further," Crows operations manager Phil Harper said.

"The biggest problem for him has been kicking long distances but he was able to do that pretty well pain free, which was quite handy. It's pleasing for us and him but he's still not out of the woods yet because he hasn't even got to competitive work but it's a step in the right direction. We're just trying to step him up to the next level and if he can start doing that without pain, then it's a winner for us all."

James Sellar is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks after breaking his hand during a NAB Challenge match against the Magpies in Alice Springs

Adelaide pair Brad Symes and Brad Moran have stalled in their recovery from knee injuries, with Symes to have arthroscopic surgery this week.

Adelaide's Richard Douglas says he hopes to become a more permanent fixture in the Crows side this year and hopes to make the most of opportunities that have presented themselves with the club's mounting injury toll.

"With a few guys missing there's probably a bit of added responsibility," he said.

"It was pretty disappointing for me with the way it ended last year. I've trained hard over the pre-season and am taking a bit of a different approach this year."

Adelaide onballer Brent Reilly has been working hard to develop into a tagger this season after Crows coach Neil Craig suggested it as a possible role for him.

"I did a little bit of tagging when I first came over just helping out off the bench. I hadn't really done it for any length of time, but I thought I should grab the opportunity with both hands and make the most of it," Reilly said.

"I'm just after some team security at the moment. I've been thrown around in a lot of positions over my career and I'm keen to settle down in one spot and make it mine for the whole year. If it's a tagging role, well I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Adelaide defender Nathan Bock says he has recovered well from a stress fracture in his heel that plagued him last season.

"It was frustrating to miss the end of last season and to be on a modified program pre-Christmas, but I was always confident that by around this time I was going to be right to start playing again," Bock said.

"I'm just looking forward to getting back out there and having a run around. My fitness base is there...I just want to get that match fitness back, so that come round one I'm ready to take on the season."

Adelaide's bad run of pre-season injuries has continued with a foot injury to talented forward Chris Knights.

Knights had been sporting a moon boot due to plantar fasciitis and now has a confirmed stress fracture in his foot.

"Late last week Chris was aware of pain and swelling further down the foot towards the toes. An investigation (MRI scan) on the weekend revealed a stress fracture," club doctor Andrew Potter said on the Crows' website.

"Chris will continue to have treatment for both plantar fasciitis and the stress fracture."

Adelaide forward Brett Burton is in doubt for the opening match of the season after surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee.

"He will be in a race against time to be available for round one but we have faith in our physical performance team to give him the best chance possible of taking the field against Freo," Crows football operations general manager Phil Harper said.

Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop has accepted a one-game suspension for his crude tackle on Michael Doughty in the Power's NAB Cup win over Adelaide.

Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop could miss his side's NAB Cup match against West Coast after being charged with rough conduct following a crude spear tackle on Crow Michael Doughty.

Jason Porplyzia says he should make his return from a pelvic injury before round one of the home and away season.

"The doctors and the physios seem to think the injury could be a result of years of not using the muscles in the pelvis and glutes properly," Porplyzia said.

"Hopefully, the core-strengthening program will get the muscles going again and build them up so that they're able to take the workload a bit better."

Adelaide's Brodie Martin is tracking well when comparing his rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction to teammate Brett Burton.

"He's a bit more advanced than Brett Burton was at the same time, which is pretty impressive considering how Brett came back. Brodie started running a while ago, but he's starting to get up some speed now and he's looking pretty sharp," Crows physical performance manager Stephen Schwerdt.

Martin played two games in 2009 which he says helped him with being promoted to the senior list for the Crows.

"If there was an upside to doing my knee it was that I did it in a Showdown playing at the highest level and not while I was running around for Sturt in the SANFL because who knows what would've happened," Martin said.

Adelaide has put Jason Porplyzia on a modified program because of a pelvic injury but is confident he'll still feature in the pre-season competition.

"Jason's just got a problem with his pelvis, so we've had to back him off," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.

"Up until then he ran a personal best in his 3km time trial, which is a big plus for him. We just have to be patient with him, but unless something goes wrong I'm really positive he'll be available for the second round of the NAB Cup."

Adelaide youngster Patrick Dangerfield will be sidelined for up to three weeks after straining a medial ligament in his knee during a typically competitive Crows training session.

"Patty was in a marking contest and he just gave his medial a bit of a tweak. It's down the lower end of the scale, so it will probably keep him out at least a week," Schwedt said.

"It's the nature of our training. If you're going to do competitive-type training there's always the risk of this sort of thing happening.

Trent Hentschel is attacking this pre-season with added vigour while gaining confidence in his body to withstand the rigours of training since recovering from a serious knee injury.

"My focus now is to attack the sessions, not just get through," Hentschel said.

"This is the first pre-season in a while I've been able to do that because I've had the confidence in my body to actually go out and not just try to get through sessions, and not worry about getting injured all the time.

"That's enabled me to do extra work. I lost that chance to improve over the last two or three years with my knee so I'm trying to catch up on as much improving as I can over the pre-season."

A clean bill of health and some strong performances on the track have Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield considering a midfield role for 2010 after a torrid start to 2009 due to injuries last year.

"At the time I probably didn't realise how much of an impact missing training would have and it gave me a greater appreciation once the season started, just being able to be out there and train," Dangerfield said.

"If you're in rehabilitation it makes it so much harder to get up to speed with the way that we train and the way that we play. It makes it a lot harder come January or February to make your way into the pre-season side."

Dangerfield also says he is in no rush yet to extend his contract which ends in 2010 but is looking for a house to settle in Adelaide.

"The contract's not something I need to rush into at the moment. I just want to focus on getting a good pre-season under my belt, playing some good footy and the rest will take care of itself," he said.

"I'm loving every minute of it over here. Mum's on the internet pretty much every night looking on (real estate site) Domain and she gives me a call if she finds anything. Hopefully the right house will come along soon."

Adelaide's Nathan Bock spent the off-season in a moon boot but is now running without pain for the first time since August.

"Bocky's had a few running sessions and he's going really well," Crows physical performance manager Stephen Schwerdt said.

"We're taking it relatively conservatively with him just to make sure. We wanted to make sure he was spot on before we got him into any running and so far, so good."

Adelaide has added Brad Symes to the leadership group and made Simon Goodwin captain for a third year.

"It's something that when I woke up this morning I didn't come to the club expecting," Symes said.

"We had a pretty rock-solid leadership group last season and I didn't see that changing going into next year, but leadership is something that I've been working on in the last year or two ever since I got to the club.

"It's a massive honour to be acknowledged by my peers that I've been doing some of that work and they've seen that come through."

Adelaide rookie Matthew Wright says he appreciates the opportunity being given to him by the Crows.

"You've got to get your foot in the door and then it all falls back onto you a bit," he said.

"With the facilities the Crows have now got it's going to be up to the individual as to whether they make it or not. I certainly won't be taking it for granted."

Former Adelaide Crow Robert Shirley has withdrawn his nomination from the NAB AFL Pre-Season and Rookie Drafts thereby effectively announcing his retirement.

Adelaide's Brad Symes be on the sidelines for up to six weeks after undergoing a knee operation.

"Brad's just got a little bit of material in the knee which needs cleaning out," football operations manager John Reid said.

"We could have punted on him coming good but we thought it would be best to give the knee a bit of a cleanout to prevent further problems."

Watching Brett Burton make a full recovery from his knee operation has given strength to Adelaide defender Andy Otten.

"Bird [Burton] gave me a call the night before I went in to have the operation and I asked him what advice he had for me," Otten said.

"He sent me an email of the 12-month plan he went through and he's going to go through that with me. Brett came back in such good physical condition. He's the benchmark for what I want to achieve."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says that Andy Otten can continue to develop despite going down with a season-ending knee injury.

"Andy's a really strong-minded person, so we need to make sure we use the next 12 months to make him a better player in terms of conditioning, strength, leadership and game knowledge," Craig said.

"He won't have another 20-plus games under his belt, but we need to make sure all the other parts of his game progress."

Adelaide defender Andy Otten will miss the entire 2010 season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament at training

New Adelaide recruit Jack Gunston feels lucky to be drafted after he missed eight weeks with a severe elbow injury.

"I was playing in a practice game for Sandy [Sandringham]. I contested the ball and my elbow just popped out. I had to go to hospital and the doctors put my whole arm in a cast," Gunston said.

"I only saw three of his [TAC Cup] games, but I liked his competitiveness and the way he went at the ball," Adelaide recruiting manager Matt Rendell said.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig throws his support behind Simon Goodwin remaining captain of the Crows.

"His playing credentials are there for everyone to see and you see his on-field leadership, but what a lot of supporters won't see is his leadership off the field and on a day-to-day basis. He's developing into, possibly, the most outstanding captain this club has ever had," Craig said.

North Adelaide junior James Craig said he was thrilled to be drafted by the team he has supported all his life, the Adelaide Crows.

"I was over the moon when my name got called out. It's the best-case scenario being drafted by the Crows," Craig said.

"I don't have to move away from home or worry about anything else. I'm rapt to stay in Adelaide. I couldn't have asked for anything more."

Adelaide recruit Daniel Talia says an impromptu school visit might have swayed the club's first pick in the NAB AFL Draft.

"Hamish [Adelaide recruiter Hamish Ogilvie] came down to my school and had a chat to my teachers. I guess the club was really doing its homework on me," Talia said.

"Fortunately for me, my principal Michael Kenny used to coach the U19s at Glenelg. He's from Adelaide and he's a big Crows' supporter, so I think he gave me a really good rap which might've helped me in the end."

Kurt Tippett has revealed that he did receive an offer from the Gold Coast this year but is pleased with his decision to stay at Adelaide.

"It was great to sign up with the club for three years and I'm very excited that I know where my future is going to be," Tippett said.

"There was a little bit of heat [on me to stay]. It was great to hear everyone's support because they all wanted me to stay in Adelaide and so did I. My manager was keen for me to weigh up all the options, although my sole focus was always staying in Adelaide."

Nathan Bock, Nathan van Berlo and Ben Rutten will not start full training until after Christmas as they recuperate from injuries.

Discarded Crow Robert Shirley is weighing up his future and may consider joining another club in that is a premiership contender.

"Given that he's 29, he's had a good career," Shirley's manager Peter Lenton said.

"The big issue is whether he wants to move for one year."

Adelaide has delisted five senior players and one rookie in the lead-up to the 2009 NAB AFL Draft.

Robert Shirley was let go after playing 151 games along with Nick Gill, Greg Gallman, Aaron Kite, Tom Lee as well rookie-listed James Moss.

Adelaide best-and-fairest Bernie Vince says a helping hand from skipper Simon Goodwin prevented him from making an early AFL exit.

"Simon's been a great influence on my career. I was just cruising through the system a little bit in my first couple of years and I put almost everything I've achieved over the past couple of years down to what Simon Goodwin has done for me," Vince said.

"He got me out and made me train. Once he did that and said he believed in me I started to believe in myself. If it wasn't for Simon there's every chance I would've been out of the system and back home playing for Stansbury."

Adelaide's club champion went down to the wire, with Bernie Vince eventually taking the prize and winning his first gold jacket and Malcolm Blight medal as the Crows' best and fairest for 2009 just ahead of runner-up Jason Porplyzia.

Kurt Tippett signs three-year contract extension with Adelaide to stave off overtures from the Gold Coast while veterans Brett Burton, Andrew McLeod, Simon Goodwin and Tyson Edwards re-sign to play on for one year.

The re-signings were announced at the club's 2009 best and fairest awards with club champion Bernie Vince saying he was always confident of Tippett staying.

"I was in Kurt's ear every day for him to stay. It came down to his decision, but I always had faith he would stay," Vince said on Friday night.

"He gets on really well with everyone here and I even told people back home [in Stansbury] that I'd be really surprised if he left at any stage."

Adelaide's Brett Burton has won the 2009 Hungry Jack's Mark of the Year while Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli has won the AFL Stores Goal of the Year.

"Without a doubt, it's the best mark I've ever taken. It's certainly the biggest mark I've ever taken. When I was up there, I thought, 'whoa!' It did feel good," Burton said of his mark.

"I would also like to thank my teammate Chance Bateman for giving me the handball to have the opportunity to kick the goal," Rioli said of his goal.

Adelaide is set to offer its gun forward Kurt Tippett a highly lucractive deal in an effort to keep him away from the new Gold Coast franchise.

"I'm sure we'll pay Kurt what we think he is worth to us as a player and what he's worth to our footy club," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.

"Once all that's on the table, then hopefully Kurt says, `Let's go', whether it's for another one, two or three years.

"In the end Kurt will make that decision, but I hope he stays because he's going to be a fantastic player for us. And I know our supporters would love him to stay because they can sort of predict, if he continues to improve, what sort of player he can be."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig has assured the future of Brett Burton despite the veteran forward seeming to run out of puff towards in the Crows' semi-final loss to Collingwood.

"People have to understand that Brett Burton has got himself back into a condition having done no pre-season and coming off a major knee reconstruction," Craig said.

"I could argue that what Brett Burton was able to do for us was quite extraordinary based on those conditions."

Adelaide captain Simon Goodwin says that the Crows over 30 including himself, Tyson Edwards, Andrew McLeod and Brett Burton feel like they have unfinished business after losing a semi-final in heartbreaking fashion to Collingwood.

"All four of us are reasonably keen to go on, but at the same time I don't think anyone of us have had a conversation with the footy club or sat down and done our review yet," Goodwin said.

"The result from the weekend is certainly painful. You feel as a player that there's some unfinished business there... there's some unfinished business there that we'd like to contribute towards."

Andy Otten takes what appears to be a match-saving mark in the dying seconds of Adelaide's semi final against Collingwood only to watch a free kick being paid to John Anthony who kicks the winning goal.

"I went back to take the kick and next thing I see it was paid a free kick. He went back and goaled and that was it pretty much," Otten said.

"We put ourselves out there for four quarters and to not get the win is pretty shattering. All the older boys are taking it pretty hard and being a young kid in my first finals series I don't like the feeling much myself.

"We have to take this feeling into next season and really give it a crack next year. I know I'll take that feeling into pre-season because I never want to feel like this again."

Jack Anthony kicks the winning goal with only a minute remaining after being awarded a free kick against Ben Rutten for holding in Collingwood's semi-final against Adelaide.

Adelaide tagger Rob Shirley says praise from Gary Albett has given him added confidence before the do-or-die Collingwood clash.

Ablett identified Shirley and Carlton youngster Aaron Joseph as his toughest opponents this season.

"That's a great compliment from a great player. It gives me a bit of confidence," Shirley said.

Nathan van Berlo struggles to recover from a niggling back injury and will not play in Adelaide's semi-final against Collingwood.

Adelaide football manager John Reid is quietly confident forward Kurt Tippett will resist the lure of returning home to the Gold Coast despite constant media speculation on the key forward's future at the club.

"Kurt seems very happy here. He's a major player in our football club and will be for some years to come. I can't give you a definite answer. I'd love to be able to, but we'll work that out at the end of the season," Reid said.

Adelaide is looking at the possibility of Nathan Bock playing in the SANFL this weekend to prove his fitness after recovering from a microfracture in his heel.

"Nathan's still a day-by-day proposition [to play this weekend] and we're at the stage now where you do have to debate taking someone in who hasn't played [in six weeks] where two weeks ago you would've said he'd be straight back into the team," Crows' football manager John Reid said.

"It may well be a situation where the selectors decide that from a touch and fitness perspective Nathan doesn't make the side."

Adelaide veteran says belief and work ethic contributed to his stunning return form that capped off a scintillating 30-disposal performance against the Bombers in the elimination final at AAMI Stadium.

"Sometimes you work pretty hard and you don't get the reward, but somewhere down the track it's going to come. I've been lucky that I've got some reward for hard work over the past few weeks," McLeod said.

"Everyone plays their role and you might not get the recognition from outside the footy club, but certainly inside you do. You don't get caught up in what other people think. You listen to your coaches because what they say is gospel."

In the four years since his last finals appearance, injuries had Adelaide forward Trent Hentschel think his best was behind him.

Hentschel is now back in the Crows side after overcoming a horrific knee injury and is set to play a key role in the club's finals aspirations for 2009.

"The whole way through my rehabilitation I doubted I could ever get back here, but I'm glad we've made it and there's a really good feeling around the club at the moment," Hentschel said.

"I'm really excited because I haven't played finals since 2005 and it will probably be the biggest crowd I've played in front of since I've been back."

Nathan Bock got through Crows training okay but still isn't ready to return to action in this week's elimination final against Essendon.

"There's still some pain there and Nathan said he's not in a shape to perform," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.

"I would expect our guys to make clear decisions on performance. They all want to be part of it [the finals], but they understand that once the ball's bounced all the other stuff goes; the fanfare the music and whatever else goes."

Andy Otten is runner up in the 2009 NAB AFL Rising Star award which went to Brisbane's Daniel Rich.

"I was pretty sure Rich would win because he has had a great year but I was pleased to get that many votes," Otten said.

"To finish runner-up is a big honour."

Jobe Watson will captain the Bombers in their elimination final against Adelaide after Matthew Lloyd was suspended for four matches.

His father, Essendon great Tim Watson, says he is proud of his son.

"Yes, I am, but no more proud of him because he's captaining the side than I am any other time," he said.

"It's always a big honour to captain your club. It's a great achievement for him, I think."

Mark Ricciuto says he is honoured to be the AFL's finals ambassador for 2009.

"I was absolutely rapt to be asked to do it, considering the last couple of years have been Archer and Hird, so it'll be a great week," Ricciuto said.

"After '98, I didn't come back to Melbourne [for grand final week] until I won the Brownlow in 2003.

"I had such a good time at the grand final that week, so I've been back every year since and I can't see myself missing it for a while."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig has backed small forward Jason Porplyzia for a berth in the 2009 All Australian side.

"Jason's an exceptional player. He's an exceptional kick, has exceptional character and some of the things he can do in a football match are special," Craig said.

"In the past, we've had Darren Jarman and Jason can do some things Darren used to be able to do. "

Adelaide midfielder Bernie Vince has become an elite performer, skipper Simon Goodwin says.

""Bernie's got enormous talent and what he has developed in his game is an unbelievable training ethic. He's developed into an elite player and it's been great to watch his development," Goodwin said.

"He's made some big sacrifices. He had a decision to make a couple of years ago about the work required to be a top AFL footballer and had made the decision that he wanted to do the hard work."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says Vince's development is largely due to being mentored by Goodwin himself.

"A lot of that recognition goes to Simon for his mentoring. A lot of what you're seeing in Bernie Vince at the moment is very similar to the way Simon Goodwin plays his footy," Craig said.

"I think Bernie's been very lucky to be in an environment where he's had access to a Simon Goodwin."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says he will take a cautious approach towards reinstating Nathan Bock, who is still struggling with a microfracture in his heel, in the side to play finals.

"It can be one of the most difficult decisions to make because there's a sense of urgency in terms of the result and sometimes that can cloud your thinking," Craig said.

"I think we've all been around long enough to know that to play unfit players when the best are playing the best, you do it at your peril ... there may be a situation where you have to do it, but do it at your peril."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig praises young ruckman James Sellar's efforts in manning the ruck division with injuries to the Crows' taller ruck options.

"In a lot of ways James has been quite exceptional. This time last year he was playing reserves at Glenelg, so he's had a big turnaround," Craig said.

"In a lot of ways he's boxing outside his weight division because of his height, but I've been really pleased with what he's been able to do."

Nathan Bock has removed his moonboot and resumed light running but a microfracture in his heel is still troubling him and is too small to be treated with pain-killing injections.

"Nathan would have to be up and running. He'd have to prove on the training track that he can do what he needs to do as far as running, jumping, kicking and not pulling up sore is concerned," Adelaide assistant coach Ben Hart said.

"The whole idea of injecting any sort of injury is to numb it or get so you're able to play a certain amount of the game. If it's not going to work, there's no use doing it and that's why Nathan has to do as much as he can now while resting to make sure he's at the percentage he needs to be to play."

Crow tagger Robert Shirley will miss a finals-shaping game for his club against Carlton after straining his hamstring against West Coast.

Young Crow Andy Otten looks forward to playing in his first finals series for the Crows.

"I really can't wait for the finals and for the boys to put themselves on show when it matters," Otten said.

"Finals are what you play for all year and it's just exciting to think about."

Adelaide will go into next Saturday's twilight game against Carlton without tagger Robert Shirley who injured his hamstring against the Eagles.

The task of minding Carlton superstar Chris Judd is likely to fall on Michael Doughty who did the job on the Blues skipper the last time the two sides met.

Young Adelaide ruckman Shaun McKernan is likely to miss the rest of the season after suffering another break in the same left arm he had fractured earlier in the year.

"It had been more than six weeks, so we felt it was worth a look at and Shaun obviously wanted to get back into the fray, but you don't know if it has healed until you try," Reid told Adelaide radio station 5aa.

"Even though the scans showed his arm was okay, it's obviously got a bit of a weakness in it. We'll give that plenty of time to heal now."

Brad Moran hopes to play finals football after revolutionary knee surgery involving the use of a dissolving artificial ligament speeds his recovery.

"Instead of grafting a piece of quad or hamstring, which after 12 weeks can put you in contention for a strain or a tear because the muscle is weak, the surgeons use an artificial ligament which attaches to the bone and is rock-solid straight away," Moran said.

"The artificial ligament dissolves over the course of four-six years apparently...but the artificial ligaments have only been around two years so they don't actually know for sure yet.

"I was a bit of a guinea pig, but I'm an aggressive person by nature. I was desperate to get back, so when the surgeon offered the procedure to me I said: 'yes, give me the quickest option'."

Adelaide tagger Rob Shirley says uncertainty about his future drives him to succeed.

"Every year I've been in a position where I'm a little uncertain as to what's going to happen the following year, but it's given me drive to make the most of the position I'm in now," Shirley said.

"I think I've still got another two or three good years of footy left in me, but in saying that it's a year-by-year prospect. You've got to take every game as it comes and make the most of it."

Adelaide football manager John Reid says he does not fear Jon Griffin returning to West Australia despite rumours of several clubs showing interest in the ruckman who has had an indifferent season due to injury.

"Jon has had a bit of an up and down season with injury and it hasn't all gone his way, but we still rate him very highly," Crows football manager John Reid said.

"Our first objective would be to develop him and get him into our side."

Crow Nathan Bock's ongoing heel complaint could keep him out for the rest of the season.

"Nathan's improving. By about this stage next week we might be able to see how the injury's going and he might be able to have a light run," Crows' football manager John Reid said.

"On the good end, Nathan could be available for the Carlton game, but on the bad end he might play none."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig expresses his delight in Trent Hentschel's return game against the Hawk after the injury-plagued forward kicked 4 goals from 14 possessions.

"I thought he was great. He looked the best he's ever looked going into this game, but he's not out of the woods yet," Craig said.

"But he played at a high speed, he played what I call hard footy - and we wanted Trent to do that, not just meander through the game and be tentative because he has to find out, he wants to find out himself. He's not here to just hang around a footy club at AFL level."

Young Crow Andy Otten eyes a future move into the midfield after having played most of 2009 in defence.

"Ultimately, I want to push into the midfield," Otten said.

"I was drafted as a midfielder and I know I can move into the midfield. For now, I'm wanted in defence.

"At the end of the year, I'll sit down with the coaches and see how they want to play me next year."

A badly corked buttock suffered against Collingwood will keep Brett Burton out of the side to face Hawthorn at the MCG.

Rory Sloane will make his debut for the Crows against the Hawks at the MCG after impressing with SANFL club North Adelaide.

"I've been impressed with Rory since pre-season, but particularly his last three to four weeks in the SANFL. He's played really strong, hard and aggressive footy," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.

"It gets another young player on our list exposed to AFL footy and with the way it falls it'll be at the MCG, on a Friday night against last year's premiers... it's a pretty special game for him."

Unlucky forward Trent Hentschel will make his second comeback from injury this year for the Crows against the Hawks.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says Hentschel's performance will determine if he has fully recovered from ongoing knee complaints.

"Trent's probably in the best condition and feels as good as he's felt since the initial injury. He's in good form and now is the appropriate time to find out," Craig said.

"We need to find out now, so we can make a good decision in conjunction with Trent about where we go from a list management point of view."

AFL Players' Association vice-president Brett Burton says departing chief executive Brendon Gale will be missed after the latter accepted a position as CEO of Richmond.

"It's disappointing to lose Brendon, but we certainly congratulate him in moving on," Burton said.

"Brendon's been in the game for a long period of time. His leadership over the last few years has been outstanding in a number of issues including the collective bargaining agreement and the free agency issue, which is on the table at the moment.

"We wish him the best for his future."

Young Crow Patrick Dangerfield will be sidelined for a week after suffering a back strain against Geelong.

A change in mindset has done wonders for skilful Crows midfielder Brent Reilly who has turned his form around after a stint in the SANFL by averaging 27 disposals over the last month.

"I was getting myself tied in a knot. I just worried about too much and I had too many things going on in my mind. I wasn't concentrating on the things that make me play better, and it was just a big build-up of negative thoughts in my mind," Reilly said.

"It spilled over to the game, and I wasn't performing.

"I needed to become a bit more relaxed around the club and not stress out so much. I think I've let myself play my natural game, and it's been working."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says there are no guarantees injured rookie Brodie Martin will be offered a contract next season but that Martin's performances in two games this year would hold him in good stead when the club assesses his position.

"Brodie is obviously disappointed as a young guy who's come from nowhere really," Craig said.

"Without giving anyone any guarantees - we can't because we don't know what's going to happen until the end of the year - he couldn't have done any more under the circumstances which he now finds himself in.

"He wouldn't be lying in bed saying, 'God, I wish I could've played a couple of games and showed something'. He's given himself he best opportunity to stay on our list."

Adelaide defender Nathan Bock says he 'deeply regrets' assault incident earlier this year and is trying to make up for it.

"I undertook a pretty intensive counselling program for six or seven weeks and I missed quite a large period of training," Bock said.

"I was training by myself sometimes to get the work done around the full-time course, which ran for three or four days a week, and then had to get myself up to play on the weekend.

"It was draining mentally, but it was something I had to do and I took a lot of positives out of doing the program. I learned a lot about myself and about ways to manage the issues that occurred.

"I've come out of it a better person. I think I was able to handle it pretty well and still be able to play some good football."

Adelaide's Brodie Martin requires a full knee reconstruction after landing awkwardly against Port Adelaide.

"The knee was swollen on Monday morning and very sore, prompting further investigation with an X-ray and MRI scan," Adelaide club doctor Andrew Potter said.

"There was no evidence during the game as to the extent of the injury. The knee felt stable, he was able to run, and Brodie told us he felt okay. It is quite unusual for a player to be able to continue to play with this sort of injury."

Adelaide midfielder Michael Doughty predicts that Port Adelaide star Shaun Burgoyne will be in for a tough time when he returns to duty in the showdown against Adelaide after being out for 14 weeks due to bone bruising below the knee.

"It's going to be tough for him," Doughty said.

"I don't know how much work he's done, but he's a quality player and I'm sure they'll use him sparingly but when they use him he'll be quality for them."

Adelaide's Kurt Tippett hopes he is able to stay forward this Sunday against Port Adelaide with young ruckmen James Sellar and Ivan Maric manning the rucks.

"I'm happy playing wherever Craigy needs me to play, but I've been enjoying my time up forward," Tippett said.

"James Sellar and Ivan have been playing some good football in the ruck, so I think we'll go with them again this week."

Key Saints Justin Koschitzke and Zac Dawson are charged by the match review panel after physical clash with Crows.

Koschitzke was charged with striking Adelaide's Richard Douglas in Sunday's game, while Dawson was charged for a rough conduct offence against Crow Brad Symes.

Brodie Martin's debut was one of the few bright lights for the Crows during their tough game against St Kilda with the young midfielder tallying 16 disposals and kicked a goal.

Martin was a late call-up to replace Robert Shirley who was omitted from the side due to suffering from the flu.

"You don't know what to expect, I mean everyone tells you how hard and how fast it's going to be, but to get the first one under my belt feels pretty good," Martin said.

"I felt pretty good coming out actually. I think when I was a kid I used to get pretty nervous before races at school and stuff like that, but that's pretty much gone now. I was probably more anxious just to get out there and show what I can do."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig was pleased with Martin's debut performance.

"For our supporters that's a plus for us out of the game; they get to see another player and I actually thought he did some really, really good things," Craig said.

"I was really pleased for Brodie. That would have been a really tough initiation to come into his first AFL game when we couldn't get much control.

"I thought he showed some speed, some understanding and some good execution in a game where there was that sort of pressure."

Crows coach Neil Craig says Brett Burton is a 'fair chance' to face the Saints on Sunday after spending two weeks in the SANFL since returning from a knee reconstruction.

"Of you have an attitude of 'if it's not broke then don't fix it', maybe you miss out on opportunity as well and that's why Brett will be given a consideration," Craig said.

"If we believe he makes us a stronger opponent, particularly up in the forward line, and that it doesn't upset our overall balance...there will be a fair chance he'll come back into our side."

Adelaide has a selection poser ahead of the clash with ladder-leaders St Kilda - what to do with Brett Burton?

In two SANFL matches since resuming after a knee reconstruction, Burton has done all he can to show he is ready to re-commence his AFL career.

"It's probably a tough one for the selectors but a good position to be in as well, Brett's worked as hard as I've seen anyone over the last 10-12 months," said midfielder Brad Symes.

"He's come back and played two games now and is in pretty good form already, which doesn't really surprise anyone at the club.

"If he does come into the team I'm sure he'd do a great job."

Graham Johncock says he is likely to finish his career at Adelaide after signing a new two-year deal.

"I'm happy to be around the club. They've helped me out in a lot of areas, not just on the field but off the field as well," Johncock said.

"I've showed my faith in the club and they've showed their faith in me by giving me another two years. I'm really looking forward to that."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says the club will make a competitive offer to prevent emerging forward Kurt Tippett returning to Queensland.

"From a financial point of view, (football operations manager) John Reid will make a realistic and competitive offer without us selling our soul because we can't do that and we won't do that," Craig said.

"All we can do is provide an environment that hopefully Kurt thinks will be conducive for him to play his best football in from a coaching perspective, a resource and a cultural point of view as well."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says instinct rather than science will see returning star Brett Burton spend another week in the SANFL.

"I just want him to play in the SANFL again. We'll never know if it's the right decision because he obviously won't play for us this week," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.

"But we want Brett back for the long-haul, not the short one, and we just don't want to be sitting here in the future saying, 'We should've left it for another week or two rather than rushing it'."

Adelaide teenager Shaun McKernan will miss Saturday night's clash with Fremantle at AAMI Stadium after breaking his left arm in the warm-up before Friday's training session.

McKernan, 18, suffered the break in an innocuous clash of arms with another teammate.

"Shaun will see the specialist this afternoon and they'll decide whether to put a little plate in his arm or to let it go and that will determine how long he'll be out, but I would think it will be a minimum of six weeks," Crows' football operations manager John Reid said.

Adelaide's Chris Knights says he's now paying the price for a month of football that saw his very successful switch from the midfield to the forward line.

Knights, 22, was recast in his return from a fractured eye socket in round seven and made an immediate impact with three goals from 24 possessions in the loss to the Western Bulldogs.

He continued his hot streak in four matches that followed, booting 16 goals including bags of five against Essendon and Carlton.

But opposition teams have since wised up to Knights' tricks.

With the tight checking of opposition taggers, the left-footer has managed just 3.5 over the past three weeks.

"As a midfielder I was not [followed] this closely or consistently," he said. "Nowadays I find that I don't get much room to move and I don't get any time during the game where I'm by myself.

"I feel at times like that frustration is bubbling up inside me, but it's part of my preparation going into games"trying not to get frustrated"and to continue to work hard and contribute to the team.

"I can still block, shepherd and tackle. They can't take that away from my game."

A fit Simon Goodwin, and the possible return of Brett Burton means Adelaide will make at least one change to its winning line-up, says assistant Mark Bickley.

"Simon's had a few weeks on the sidelines now, so we really wanted to see how he touched the ball and he was pretty good today," Bickley said.

"He's the captain of our club and he was in good form before he went out of the side, so he's a very strong possibility to play.

"You might've thought Brett was going to come back pretty rusty and that it would take a couple of weeks for him to get back into it, but on the strength of his performance last week he's a genuine candidate.

"His touch was fantastic, he moved well and he pulled up really well. He's probably been ready for two months in terms of physically being able to run and get involved in training."

Tyson Edwards was the subject of a massive Brownlow Medal plunge shortly after he was touted as great value on television on Monday night.

Edwards' price was slashed with betting agencies after Channel 9's Footy Classified panel suggested he was a smoky for the medal.

Small punters launched the plunge shortly after Craig Hutchison suggested the Crow was "over the odds".

Darren Crocker says former premiership teammate Wayne Carey could 'fulfil a role' if the caretaker coach earned the senior position for 2010 .

"If he was keen to come back and I was the senior coach going forward, I would entertain that he might come in and fulfil a role," he said.

"But to what extent that would be, whether it was just as a specialist coach or part of our new elite training facility with the learning and cultural centre, he might want to have a role to play there.

"He's definitely got something to offer the footy club, any footy club. That's not out of the question, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

Crow Shaun McKernan talks about his debut game against the Tigers.

"As soon as I crossed the boundary line and got into the forward line the ball was there and I was like, 'wow this is pretty quick'," McKernan said.

"I thought I did pretty well considering the amount of game time I had. I had to work pretty hard to get into the game and lay a few tackles to get my confidence up. Now, I know I have to work a bit harder and take the next step."

Brett Burton was impressive in the SANFL on the weekend and feels ready to make his AFL comeback after spending a year on the sidelines following a knee reconstruction.

"I put myself up for selection last week - to play anywhere - because by putting my hand up I was saying I was fit to play footy at any level," Burton said.

"I've put myself up for selection at AFL level again this week, which was no different to last week. I'm happy to play anywhere.

"The knee hasn't troubled me for a long time. When you've been out for 11-and-a-half months it takes you a little bit of time to get used to footy again in terms of the bumps and the bruises and what you get as far as recovery after a game.

"You can train as hard as you like and try and simulate matches as much as possible, but it's different when you actually get out there against an opposition."

Young Crow forward Shaun McKernan seeked his brother Corey McKernan's advice ahead of his debut match against Richmond.

"He just said, 'Don't put any expectations on yourself'," McKernan said.

"Don't do anything you don't normally do and just take it as it comes. The main thing is just having a fierce attack on the ball and giving those second and third efforts."

Corey McKernan was impressed by his younger brother's efforts.

"It was great, the biggest buzz for me is you're always unsure when someone plays their first game but he fitted right in and if he keeps working hard he's hopefully got a long career ahead of him," Corey McKernan said.

"The thing that impressed me with him is how quick he actually moves.

"He's got some real speed off the mark, if he keeps working how I know he has. That's what people are going to judge him by, not me or anyone else."

Richmond midfielder Nathan Foley is likely to miss three weeks with a calf injury sustained in the Tigers' loss to Adelaide on Saturday night.

Coach Jade Rawlings said Foley injured his right calf at training last week but doctors had cleared him on Friday to play.

He said the injury became sore as the game wore on. Foley is now likely to have scans.

Young Adelaide midfielder David Mackay warns his side still has improvement in it after six straight wins.

''We've got a lot of work to do, but we're improving. If we can keep improving at this rate, we'll be pretty happy,'' he said.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says young key position players James Sellar and Shaun McKernan have earnt their place in the side.

"In the ruck, James is not a super tall guy. He's 196cm and a lot of the guys now are over 200cm, so he'll have his work cut out there but he's addressed some areas that we've been onto James about in terms of work ethic, work rate and competitive attitude," Craig said.

"We're not into giving games away. Shaun has earned the opportunity and the right to play AFL footy.

"We've just got to make sure that we expose those guys when the timing is right and they've earned it because we found last year that, even though Andy Otten and Patrick Dangerfield only played two games, it made a huge difference when it came to the pre-season."

Veteran Crows forward Brett Burton will make his return to football this weekend after almost 12 months out.

"He can't do any more than what he's done in terms of training and preparation. He even floated past me a couple of weeks ago asking to come straight back into the AFL team, which I half expected," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.

Despite earning a NAB rising star nomination in round 10, Taylor Walker is dropped from the Crows side to face Richmond after having three quiet games.

"We all know how talented a player Taylor is, especially offensively. He's got an exquisite kicking ability and so forth, but we just want Taylor to tidy up on some of his defensive action," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.

"Even though he plays up forward, that is pretty important for us and I don't want him to have the pressure of AFL games on him to do that. I'm sure Taylor will come back fairly soon."

Adelaide Crows recruiter Matt Rendell says the decision to pick Patrick Dangerfield ahead of local South Australian product Bradley Ebert in 2008 was correct.

"Ebert is making his mark over in WA. West Coast is really happy with him and I'm glad because I really liked him as a player," Rendell said.

"We just thought Dangerfield was going to give us something that we didn't have on our list; some break-the-lines speed and massive intensity. So far, that's how it's turned out and it hasn't surprised me knowing the character of the bloke."

Small defender Graham Johncock signs on for two more years at Adelaide.

Adelaide has lost Brad Moran to injury but fellow ruckman Ivan Maric says he's happy to shoulder more responsibility in his absence and that either Shaun McKernan or James Sellar would be capable replacements for Moran.

"I played against Shaun in the SANFL earlier this year and he's really aggressive and fierce around the ball, which is what midfielders want from a ruckman, especially at the centre square," he said.

"James' centre bounce is pretty good as well, but he's got other strengths like being able to go up forward and kick goals too."

Adelaide captain Simon Goodwin will miss another week with his troublesome knee injury.

Ruckman Ivan Maric said it was disappointing not to have the captain available for Saturday night's clash with Richmond on the Gold Coast.

"Wherever Goody plays - forward, back or midfield - you know he's going to do a job and in the last quarter when it's crunch time, you'd put him in the middle every day of the week," Maric said.

A serious knee-injury to Crows ruckman Brad Moran has opened up a spot for youngsters James Sellar and Shaun McKernan.

"It's disappointing to lose Brad, especially because he's just started to come into some really good form," assistant coach David Noble said.

"Losing any player who is starting to have an influence in games is going to hurt you a little bit but it's up to others to pick up the slack."

"McKernan and Sellar have both been playing some really strong ruck work at SANFL level and I reckon they are ready to play. Shaun's been quite dominant at times in the middle, I haven't seen James as much but certainly the reports from Peter Jonas and Alan Stewart have been very encouraging, about their ruckwork particularly."

Barry Hall is set to discuss his future with coach Paul Roos this week after accepting a two-match ban from the AFL's match review panel for striking Adelaide's Ben Rutten.

Brad Moran ruptured the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee after landing awkwardly in a contest on Saturday against Sydney, ruining a promising day that netted him 18 touches and 14 hit-outs.

Moran's injury could open the door for 18-year-old Shaun McKernan to make his debut against Richmond on Saturday night at Gold Coast Stadium.

Barry Hall's anger management program appears to fail him as he was reported for the 15th time in his 13-year career and in his 250th AFL game.

In what appeared a moment of madness, just seconds before three-quarter-time Hall threw a punch at Adelaide defender Ben Rutten " an action that could result in him suspended for up to four matches, given the intent of the action, carry-over points and his record.

Rutten appeared more surprised than hurt by the blow, which was clearly caught on television.

Nathan van Berlo's stunning third quarter helped his team to a come-from-behind victory against Sydney and showed he is ready to become a true leader at Adelaide in the absence of captain Simon Goodwin who was out with injury.

"Nathan has been really sound for us this season, but I thought his third quarter today was exceptional," Craig said after the game.

"In actual fact, when the playing group ask each other and their teammates for leadership and 'who's actually going to start this?' Nathan van Berlo, I think, put his hand up and demonstrated that leadership through his actions.

"We've been pleased with Nathan, but today was a class game for him."

Wayne Carey is continuing his quest to raise money for charities.

Just a week after Carey donated his comeback game match fee to the Whitelion charity, we can reveal Carey will tackle the Kokoda Track to help former teammate Jason McCartney raise money for a children's charity.

Barry Hall's career hangs by a thread after he was reported for another striking incident against Adelaide, taking the gloss off what would have been a fine four-goal effort against the Crows.

Hall delivered a short, sharp, left jab to Ben Rutten's chin as the pair tangled after the three-quarter-time siren at AAMI Stadium.

"There's definitely still some issues there with Barry Hall," Foxtel commentator Dwayne Russell said.

"I don't know too many leopards that can instantly change their spots - and Barry Hall is still a leopard."

Adelaide Crows coach Neil Craig says young Crow Patrick Dangerfield has impressive strength for his age.

"For a guy Patrick's age, his attack on the footy is as good as I've seen in my involvement in footy. At such a young age, it's exceptional...absolutely exceptional and it's just natural for him; it's not manufactured," Craig said.

"He's a powerful man. I think Todd Viney made the comment the other day just in doing some stoppage work at training about how strong Patrick is."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig has praised forward Jason Porplyzia, saying his on his way to become one of the best in the competition.

"I've got a really high regard for Jason, not only because of his skill and his capacity to kick goals and execute, but his decision-making is also exceptional," Craig said after Porplyzia kicked 4 goals against the Swans.

"Jason will develop into an elite AFL player, there's no doubt in my mind because he's got a great attitude and he's mature for his age."

Adelaide defender Nathan Bock has avoided conviction and escaped with a 12-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to assaulting his girlfriend outside an Adelaide hotel in April.

The All-Australian admitted slapping his girlfriend twice on the face and breaking her handbag in an argument which broke out after another woman took an interest in Bock.

"I'll have a chat to Nathan and make sure he's clear about his responsibility in terms of playing performance. It does make it easier for him because he's been through it publicly before and knows what to expect," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.

Adelaide midfielder Nathan van Berlo says he expects the Swans to come out firing this weekend after forward Michael O'Loughlin announced his retirement.

"Michael O'Loughlin has been a great servant for the Sydney Swans and I know they're close as a playing group and will have a lot of feeling about that," van Berlo said.

"I'd like to think it wouldn't have any impact on how we prepare for the game. For them it might have a slight impact, but we'll be doing all we can to control it."

Adelaide captain Simon Goodwin won't play against the Sydney Swans on Saturday though forward Brett Burton is clear for his comeback.

"Goody has been trying to get himself up and he's very diligent with what he does in trying to get right to play," Crows midfielder Nathan van Berlo said.

"Unfortunately, Simon's not able to play this week, but as we showed last week there are a number of guys that can certainly come in, fill positions and play their role.

"Birdman has been jumping out of his skin for about the last six months. He's been ahead of schedule for fair while and he's another one who has worked so hard at his rehab.

"Whoever plays on him on the weekend, if he gets a run, I feel sorry for because Bird will be running around like a fresh young boy."

Nathan Van Berlo has joined coach Neil Craig in encouraging both Ivan Maric and Brad Moran to step up and stake a claim on the ruck position at the Crows.

"Over the last couple of weeks we've seen them developing in their around the ground work and also in their physicality," van Berlo said.

"I've noticed a change in attitude from both of them over the past month. Not that it was necessarily required, but I've seen them look to take their games to a new level and stand up because they realise that we need them."

Wayne Carey has pulled a calf muscle in the first five minutes of a comeback match on the Gold Coast today.

Carey hobbled off the ground after his brief stint at full-forward in the Queensland Amateur Football League division two match.

"I just went bang," Carey said outside the change rooms. "For anyone thinking about making a comeback at 38, think again.

"I think I'd better quit while I'm ahead, not that I'm ahead, but I'll quit now."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says he does not want to risk playing forward Brett Burton too early.

"Brett could possibly play in the SANFL system next weekend, but that will depend on the medical staff," Craig said.

"We've got to make sure we don't make a really poor decision for the sake of one or two weeks. We'll be guided by how Brett feels, the conditioning staff and the medical staff.

"If there's any doubt on what week it should be, we won't take the risk because it's stupid to do that."

North Melbourne's young gun Jack Ziebell's debut season appears over after scans yesterday confirmed he broke his right leg in the 44-point loss to Adelaide on Sunday.

The 18-year-old midfielder was taken to hospital after Adelaide's Brad Symes slid into his knee during a contest just before three-quarter-time.

Scans revealed the round-seven Rising Star nominee had a fractured fibula which will put him out for six to 10 weeks and with the club unlikely to play finals, he is not expected to return this year.

Adelaide midfielder David Mackay says he is better prepared for the second half of the season this year compared to 2008.

"It's always good to have a bit of a break, but the body is actually feeling really good and I'll be raring to go in the second half of the year," Mackay said.

"You definitely notice the difference between your first full season and your second. You get that bit more experience and your body learns how to cope with the workload.

"Your preparation improves and you get a bit wiser. I've learned a lot of things from my first two years and I've taken that into this year."

Adelaide onballer Richard Douglas will be tested for swine flu after experiencing symptoms of the virus.

Douglas' housemate Tony Armstrong, who had been named an as emergency, was also ruled out of Sunday's match.

"As part of the process that everyone is going through at the moment, anyone that is living in the same quarters "- which in this case is Tony "- has to be kept out of harm's way," Crows football operations manager John Reid said on Saturday.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says draftee Shaun McKernan will play at AFL level before the season's through.

"Shaun came under strong consideration last week and, if his form continues at South and with the things he's doing there, he'll play AFL football this year," Craig said.

"I hope Shaun can push into our side because it's important for him to do that, just as it is for Rory Sloane, Phil Davis and James Sellar, who have got really good form and are starting to push their cases for AFL selection."

McKernan is understandably pleased with being close to selection.

"I've achieved most of my pre-season goals already and the only one left standing is to play AFL," McKernan said.

"When someone like Craigy or even (development manager) Alan Stewart comes to you and says, 'You're ready to play AFL', it's a pretty big reward for effort.

"Now, I've just got to bide my time and hopefully in the next couple of weeks that opportunity will come up."

Adelaide skipper Simon Goodwin will have to wait to play his 250th game after being ruled out of this Sunday's clash with North Melbourne at AAMI Stadium.

Goodwin, 32, injured his knee early in last weekend's win over Essendon and initial fears were that he would miss two weeks.

Adelaide's Brad Moran is talking up the clash with former teammate Hamish McIntosh this weekend.

"I know Hamish pretty well and we've obviously played together. He's a good solid player and it will be a good challenge," Moran said.

"You have to be wary of Hamish around the ground because he can find the ball and use it.

"He's a big, tall ruckman and he has a lot of strength and reach, so we'll try and use athletic ability to try and beat him."

Steven King is looking at a month on the sidelines after being charged with rough conduct, while Paddy Ryder has also been suspended.

King was involved in an off the ball incident on Saturday which left Kangaroo Sam Power unconscious.

Ryder was suspended for a week for rough conduct against young Crow Patrick Dangerfield.

Adelaide forward Kurt Tippett is reaping the rewards of a new game-plan and plenty of practice in front of the goal posts after kicking seven goals against Essendon.

"It was certainly my best return in terms of goals, I'm not sure if it was my best game, but I'm pretty happy to kick a few goals," Tippett said.

"The first couple of shots are really important for your confidence. We've been doing a lot of work on our goal kicking so I have been feeling a lot more confident in front of goals, but it was great to put that on the score board today.

"There have been a fair few kicks over the summer, some good coaching from the guys as well as the help of the fellas out there kicking them back to me at training. All of that really paid off today."

Adelaide forward Taylor Walker has earned the round 10 NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for his five-goal haul against Hawthorn.

The young forward has been compared to former Crow great Tony Modra.

"I don't think you can compare me and Tony Modra. He's kicked more than 500 goals. I've played 10 games and kicked 20 goals, so I don't think there's any comparison there," he said.

Adelaide veteran Tyson Edwards is set to become the fourth Crow to achieve the 300-game milestone this weekend.

"The milestone is a little bit of a reward for hanging in there for a long time," Edwards said.

"Growing up, it wasn't even on the radar. I was just looking to play some good footy with West Adelaide.

"I wasn't really sure whether footy was what I wanted to do forever, because you just never know what's going to happen. I'm rapt that I've been able to play 300."

Adelaide full-back Ben Rutten says the Crows' defence has become more consistent in recent weeks.

"Over the last two weeks the back six have really taken on more responsibility and we're making sure we're taking care of our area," Rutten said.

"It's also good to have Bocky back after a couple of weeks and he definitely played a big role for us."

"Twice this year we've held AFL sides to no goals at half time. That's as strong as it gets and I don't think it's ever been done in the history of the AFL before," Craig said.

"We've also had some games where it has leaked a fair bit. But now we haven't got any injuries, so we've been able to hold some guys together."

Next Sunday, against Essendon at Etihad Stadium, Tyson Edwards joins other greats as a 300-game player for the Crows and becomes one of only 40 players in 113 years of AFL/VFL football to have played 300 games for the one club.

Adelaide rookie Chris Schmidt will miss the rest of the season after being sent for surgery on his injured shoulder.

"Chris has played with the shoulder injury for the last month because I actually wanted to see a bit more of him, so he's done a fantastic job to play," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.

"The decision was, if he could continue to play, the end of May was the time for him to go and have the operation done, so that if things do fall his way he'll be ready for pre-season which is really important for him."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig has pointed to Hawthorn forwards Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead to justify the swift return of defender Nathan Bock.

"Nathan's done everything he's had to do physically. It's a bit against our policy, but I think in this particular case, and we treat each case individually, he'll come into the side providing he pulls up OK," Crows coach Neil Craig said.

Andy Otten from the Adelaide Crows has been named the AFL rising star nominee for Round 9.

"We have been really pleased with Andy's progress this year," coach Neil Craig said.

"He came to us as a tall midfielder but he has been playing in the same role Nathan Bassett did for us for a number of years and he's been doing it well on a consistent basis.

"He still has some things to learn about playing in defence but he is very coachable."

Adelaide defender Nathan Bock is set to resume from a hamstring injury as the Crows prepare to tackle Hawthorn and Lance Franklin.

"'Bocky' trained over the weekend and is looking like being available. That will be a bonus for us in defence against a couple of key forwards for Hawthorn," teammate Ben Rutten said.

"If we get 'Bocky' back, obviously, he'll play a fairly big role in defence. He has played well on Franklin in the past, so it will be good to have him available for that contest."

Adelaide forward Trent Hentschel has suffered yet another injury setback with his troublesome knee.

"It's disappointing for Trent, but it's not all lost," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.

"It's not structural thing, as such, but when he really ups the ante he gets a bit of bleeding in there. The surgeons are reasonably confident that they can still help him, so we'll keep pushing on with it."

At 32 and about to play his record-breaking 313th Crow game - Andrew McLeod is still being tagged.

"I look forward to those challenges and it's nice to have teams still show that respect, but for me I've obviously got a picture in my head and 'Craigy' does as well of what he expects, what I expect, how I play, and I've been pretty happy with it.

"There's been a couple of games not up to scratch this year but I've been happy with the last couple of games."

On Saturday, McLeod will become the Crows' record-holder when he lines up in his 313th appearance for the club.

"It would be a tough ask for someone to play 300 games, especially with the way teams are playing now," McLeod said on Wednesday.

"It's very high impact so it's a lot harder to play. I probably will be surprised to see someone in the modern era play 300 games, but who's to say someone won't?"

Nathan Bock will miss a third-straight game as injury concerns linger over other Adelaide players.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says skipper Simon Goodwin will play against the Brisbane Lions despite an ankle injury.

"There has to be some risk involved because Simon's not 100 per cent, but there are lots of guys running around with sore ankles," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.

"He probably won't be 100 per cent for a month, because they tend to hang around for a while."

Adelaide defender Michael Doughty expects captain Simon Goodwin to take his place against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night despite Goodwin leaving the ground against the Bulldogs due to a rolled ankle.

All-Australian centre half-back's hamstring strain to see him miss second consecutive match, this time against Brisbane at the Gabba in round 8 of 2009.

A wonderful exhibition up forward against the Bulldogs has Adelaide fans excited about 19-year-old Taylor Walker.

Walker kicked 4 goals and took 9 marks in Adelaide's loss to the Bulldogs.

"It was the best game Taylor has played for us. Not so much because of the shots on goal he had - although that was pleasing - but I was really pleased with the way Taylor went about his work," Crows coach Neil Craig said.

"He actually won a bit more of his own ball and put himself in position to compete for the ball one-on-one. In the past, unless we've been able to get the ball to him cleanly, he hasn't necessarily been able to get himself into the game."

Persistent booing of Nathan Bock during Sunday's match against Melbourne was unwarranted, Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.

Port Adelaide president Brett Duncanson hopes the team's fans do not mimic some Melbourne supporters and give Adelaide defender Nathan Bock the Bronx cheer.

"It's not my role to tell our supporters what to do, but I'd encourage them to concentrate on our guys and getting them across the line," Duncanson said.

"We believe they're the most passionate supporters in the land and they're very passionate about our superstars.

"I'm sure they'll concentrate on our people and what Adelaide's players are up to is up to them."

Kurt Tippett is tall, athletic and a quick learner and the Crows are enthusiastic about their young star in the making.

Tippett has thrived on contested possessions this year and has improved his kicking for goal.

"I think it is a strength of mine and something I really enjoy doing. I enjoy the in-close ball and the challenge of it. That's what drives me to be good in that area," Tippett said.

Neil Craig has criticised the Melbourne crowd for booing All-Australian defender Nathan Bock at the MCG after the Crows defender was recently charged with assault.

"Poor taste, that's all I'll say about that. If it's the crowd, I'll say it's poor taste," Craig said.

"In the end, Nathan has to wear that. It's part of the price he has to pay. What I will add to that is not one Geelong player made a comment to him last week. I'll say it's good taste."

High-flying Adelaide forward Brett Burton could return earlier than expected from a knee reconstruction.

"Our approach has always been to have Brett back in 12 months because that’s the standard time frame," Crows physical performance manager Stephen Schwerdt said.

"He's going really well and will start to join in some football stuff with the group now. There's a possibility he might come back a bit early, but we’re still aiming for 12 months."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig has made a public apology to ruckman Ivan Maric for berating him at three-quarter time last week in an outburst that was captured on camera.

"I felt I owed Ivan, the rest of our playing group and probably our supporters an apology," Craig said.

"I was embarrassed by it as a coach. That's not the way I want to go about my business and is not part of my trademark as a coach.

"I've made a significant error with the way I want to conduct my business as a coach.

"If I was Ivan, I would've been embarrassed as a player and I don't want to be a coach that embarrasses players publicly."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig's decision to include Bock back in the Crows line up to face Geelong after a week's suspension brings many uncertainties.

"I have liked what Nathan has done in the past two weeks. He has not tried to hide or not accept responsibility for his behaviour or what he has done," Craig said.

"Now we are concerned with his performance on the field and, in the long term, how he puts things in place so we see a significant change in his behaviour."

Craig also acknowledges that Bock will be targeted by Geelong's players for his recent indiscretions.

"It would be naive to think that is not going to happen," Craig said.

"Whether it be players or supporters, but Nathan understands that. It is part of paying the price."

Neil Craig sets a coaching games record for Adelaide of 108 games, a significant milestone for the club.

Crow Graham Johncock has his teammates to thank for reaching his 150th AFL match.

In 2008, Johncock was sent back to the SANFL by the club's leadership group after failing to meet their standards of preparation to play AFL.

Johncock spent two weeks with the Port Adelaide Magpies and used this time to address pressing lifestyle issues that were affecting both his football and general well-being.

"It was pretty tough at the time. I realised there was a problem myself, but didn't know how to tell anyone about it," Johncock said.

"It's definitely changed the way I feel about footy and life in general.

"I feel you need to have these sorts of ups and downs in life. It can't always be smooth sailing and it gave me a bit of a wake-up call. I'm really enjoying my footy this year, and I don't often say it, but I actually enjoyed pre-season for once.

"I definitely feel happier and more energetic around the club than I did last year. The boys and the coaches have actually commented on it, which is good for them and good for me.

"It really hit home when the players could actually see it on me in the way I was playing, presenting at the club and training. That's when I knew I had to change a few things in my life."

Nathan Bock is set to play against Geelong on Saturday night after Adelaide lifted his club-imposed suspension.

Adelaide midfielder Brad Symes says Adelaide will have to be at its absolute best to beat Geelong.

"A lot of teams go and apply a lot of pressure to Geelong. They move the ball pretty well and are skilful enough to get out of most situations," Symes said.

"We're going to have to be right at the top of our game even just to knock them back five or 10 per cent. If we can do that we'll give ourselves a good chance."

Exiled Adelaide defender Nathan Bock says he is ready to return to the field a week after being suspended indefinitely by the club.

"The club has given me some criteria to follow in terms of meeting specific expectations with my counselling. I feel that we put a lot of those in place last week and I'll follow on with those this week and throughout the rest of the season," Bock said.

"Mentally, I'm feeling a lot better. I'm looking forward to training tomorrow and being out on the track. In terms of playing this week, it's out of my hands. That decision will be made by the leadership group in conjunction with management and the coaching staff.

"I'm doing everything I can to give myself the best opportunity to resume playing as soon as possible. Hopefully, that will happen sooner rather than later."

Adelaide teenager Patrick Dangerfield is the Round 3 nominee for the AFL's Rising Star award.

After a stirring win against Fremantle, Crow youngster David MacKay says Adelaide's real test will come against Geelong next Saturday night.

Adelaide won't rush back Nathan Bock after injuries to Scott Stevens and Nick Gill in the Crow's win against Fremantle.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says he does not know how his side will react to the loss of Nathan Bock.

Scott Stevens, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten and James Sellar will all come into calculations for the job of minding Matthew Pavlich this weekend after centre half-back Nathan Bock was suspended by the club.

Simon Goodwin says suspended defender Nathan Bock has tarnished the image of the club and the AFL and is paying a heavy price.

Adelaide skipper Simon Goodwin believes the Crows have the players to fill the holes left by injury and suspension.

Nathan Bock will spend the week away from West Lakes following his weekend arrest.

Adelaide has ruled out imposing an alcohol ban on its players, despite Nathan Bock's drink-fuelled night that led to his suspension.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou reaffirms stance on violence against women in light of Nathan Bock's incident.

Adelaide's Chris Knights will miss the next month of football after fracturing his eye socket on Friday night.

Nathan Bock has been suspended and fined by Adelaide after he was charged with assaulting his girlfriend on Saturday night.

Emerging Adelaide forward Kurt Tippett hopes hard work in off-season on his kicking pays dividends.

"My kicking has definitely evolved," Tippett said.

"I've become a lot more comfortable in front of goal, and I think that’s due to my work over the pre-season and the fact that I kicked so many balls."

Trent Hentschel will have an arthroscopy on his right knee tomorrow, sidelining the Crows forward for about a month.

Hentschel's knee blew up during the first half of Friday night’s loss to St Kilda, the second time it has done so this season after also filling with fluid following Adelaide's pre-season match against the Indigenous All-Stars in Darwin.

Nathan Bock has been reported by police after an incident in an Adelaide hotel on Saturday night for assault and causing property damage.

He was detained by police but later released. The 26-year-old will appear in court later this year.

Patrick Dangerfield showed glimpses of his prodigious talent in Friday night's loss to the Saints.

Adelaide big man Kurt Tippett says he won't be encouraged to return to the Gold Coast when that club enters the competition.

Tippett, who turns 22 next week, says he's very happy in Adelaide.

"We've got a great group of guys coming through the football club and I want to be a part of the success I know is going to happen here," Tippett said.

"There's a great culture developing and I'm sure it's going to be a successful one in the future, that's why I want to stick around."

Adelaide could be boosted by the return of experienced pair Graham Johncock and Scott Thompson for Friday night's clash with St Kilda.

Collingwood is not planning to formally complain about the umpiring during their round one loss against Adelaide.

"All anyone is talking about is the umpiring," Pert was quoted as saying. "We just need to understand the interpretations. We need explanations."

The free kick count was 18-14 in favour of the Crows during the round one match. Collingwood was also on the wrong side of the free-kick count in all four of their NAB Cup games.

But AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson said the league wasn't concerned about the club's public outburst so early in the season.

Adelaide forward Jason Porplyzia says Todd Viney's influence on the club's defence helped them to a round one win against Collingwood.

"Todd has brought across some good ideas, but he's also confirmed and substantiated that what we're doing is right. He's confirmed that our type of play is working," Porplyzia said on Monday.

"We've re-jigged our zone-type play a little bit. It was a process that we were working on last year and over the pre-season our roles have become a bit more defined."

Hayden Skipworth says he is nervous ahead of his first game for Essendon to be played AAMI Stadium.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says Robert Shirley, left out of round one, must prove that he's more than just a tagger.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says the side's inexperienced line-up does not mean he does not expect to win against the Magpies in their first game for season 2009.

As the Crows' young guns get ready to soar, Tyson Edwards has described the culture at the club as being at an all-time high.

Adelaide may lose quality midfielder Scott Thompson for Saturday's clash against Collingwood at the MCG after he complained of hamstring discomfort yesterday.

Thompson has been battling soreness throughout the week and was restricted during competitive drills.

Trent Hentschel only needs to make it through Friday practice to complete a remarkable comeback.

Simon Goodwin says the depth and youth of Adelaide's list is lessening the pressure on its more experienced players

Adelaide games record holder Mark Ricciuto had been appointed as an All-Australian selector.

Ricciuto replaces former teammate Mark Bickley. Bickley has accepted an assistant coaching role with the Crows.

Graham Johncock will miss the Crows' opening game of the season following the death of his mother.

A pre-season spent on the sidelines won't necessarily keep several key Adelaide players including Ben Rutten and Jason Porplyzia out of the club's season opener against Collingwood - provided they're fit.