Crows star in injury blow
ADELAIDE forward Mitch McGovern will miss the next two months of the AFL season because of an ankle injury.
The high- flyer was hurt when he collided with teammate Richard Douglas in the last minute of the Crows’ fivepoint loss on Saturday night to Port Adelaide. McGovern was initially treated for a head knock, but then reported ankle soreness.
Adelaide’s high performance manager Matt Hass says McGovern has an ankle sprain. “We have decided to take conservative measures,” he told the club’s website.
“We’ll see how he presents over time and rehab him accordingly ... luckily, no surgery required at this point.”
Adelaide captain Taylor Walker remains in doubt for Friday night’s home game against the Western Bulldogs as his injury- troubled season continues. Walker missed the season- opener because of a foot injury and the roundseven match because of hamstring soreness.
On return last Saturday against Port, Walker left the field with tightness in a glute muscle but played out the game.
The key forward said he would have to prove his fitness to face the Dogs at training today.
“My back and glute have been causing me a bit of stiffness and referred pain,” he told Triple M radio yesterday.
“I will have to get through the main session tomorrow.”
Ruckman Sam Jacobs was expected to front against the Bulldogs after suffering back spasms in the Power loss.
But Jacobs could yet miss the fixture as his wife is due to give birth this week.
The Crows rejected reports midfielder Brad Crouch, who hasn’t played this year because of groin injury, needs seasonending surgery.
“There is absolutely no surgery required,” Hass said.
“It’s just a slow and steady build- up for Brad to make sure he ticks a few important boxes before he really starts to build up his training load and we expect to see him later on in the year.”
• A sledge from Essendon’s Mark Baguley, directed at Carlton’s Jed Lamb about his murdered father, is reported to have been the spark for a three- quarter time melee.
Lamb’s father was killed in an axe attack in country Victoria when Jed was six years old.
The Herald Sun reports Baguley had made a comment about Lamb’s dad during Sunday’s MCG clash, but the Bombers’ defender claims he had been unaware of Lamb’s family circumstances.