Adelaide is preparing for a blockbuster clash against Collingwood at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
A win would help the Crows keep within striking distance of the top four, but they are coming up against an in-form Magpies side fresh off five-straight victories.
Senior Coach Matthew Nicks spoke to the media after the team’s Captain’s Run on Wednesday morning and touched on the following topics.
Selection call looms after Fogarty suspension
Key forward Darcy Fogarty will miss the game against the Magpies after his three-match suspension for striking was upheld at the Tribunal on Monday night.
Nicks said the coaching cohort was still deliberating on who to bring in for Fogarty.
“There will be a change, obviously with Fog being suspended, but we’ll hold onto that one,” Nicks said.
“The decisions we’ve got to make like ‘are we going to go like-for-like (with Fog), or do we go a little smaller ahead of the ball?’
“Tex looked great, he’s been up and about all week, the hope with that is that the longer break keeps him fresh.
”He looks fantastic today, so we’ll see.”
Crows to continue taking cautious approach with Callum Ah Chee
Recruit Callum Ah Chee has lined up in two SANFL games since returning from a hamstring injury sustained during the Round 13 game against Geelong.
Nicks said it would be unlikely for Ah Chee to be named in the AFL team for Thursday’s match, with the forward set for a week’s rest due to the SANFL having a League-wide bye.
“It'd be nice to have a game for him again this week, but he's done enough work where we won't be rushing Cal back into the side (into the AFL level),” Nicks said.
“But we'll see how things play out over the next sort of seven, eight days, how his body's responding, and then it'll be one of those things that it would just be a bouncing ball, follow it, see where he's at.
“He's got a lot of experience as well, so we're working with him around that.
“But it was great to have him out there today, the ability to get him in amongst the group.
“It's a pretty tough road in rehab, where you find yourself on different ovals or back out at West Lakes, so that's why he was here this morning.”
First-year forward progressing well
Nicks was asked about how draftee Archie Ludowyke is progressing with the wing/forward having played every SANFL game so far this season.
The 18-year-old has been averaging 17 disposals, 4.4 marks and has kicked 17 goals across 14 State League matches.
Nicks said he was pleased with the first-year Crow’s performances.
“It’s a big step up from SANFL to AFL, but he’s shown some really good signs, just the way he attacks the footy, and the way he competes,” Nicks said.
“For such a young kid, he’s got a really rounded off game and we love that.
“There’s things we value, not only what he does in the air, marking the footy, that’s one of his weapons, but more so what he does when he doesn’t have the footy.
“His work rate, he loves to tackle, he’s a competitor, he’s still so young. I think back to when Riley Thilthope first started in his first couple of years, it’s a tough gig when you step up to AFL and you get the best defenders in the country playing on you.”
Key defender ruled out
As the Club announced on Wednesday morning, Nicks confirmed key defender Mark Keane would miss Thursday night’s match due to illness.
Fellow backman Nick Murray will be named in the line-up, replaying Keane.
“You would’ve noticed Mark Keane wasn't out there (at Captain’s run),” Nicks said.
“Unfortunately, Keaney's crook, he has been all week.
“It's been one that's just stuck around, so he's not going to play.
“Nick Murray will play for us, so that's straightforward. Muz has been in really strong form in the SANFL, so it’s disappointing for Mark, but reinforces the strength of the squad and how important it is.”
The Crows will release their final team of 23 on Wednesday at 5.50pm (ACST).
Adelaide faces Collingwood at Adelaide Oval on Thursday at 7pm.
Tickets available here.
