Plenty of options on table
ADELAIDE must decide on whether to go tall or small to replace match-winning forward Mitch McGovern, who the club concedes is unlikely to play in Friday night’s preliminary final against Geelong.
Players are lining up to take McGovern’s spot after he injured his hamstring at training at the weekend.
Assistant coach David Teague said although McGovern was able to run yesterday, he was unlikely to play on Friday night and could also be in doubt for the grand final if the Crows make it that far.
McGovern’s hamstring strain – his second for the season after he was sidelined from Rounds 3-15 with a hamstring in the opposite leg – compounds the season-ending knee injury to halfback Brodie Smith in the qualifying final.
With Rory Sloane certain to return from appendix surgery, Teague nominated talls Alex Keath, Andy Otten and Jono Beech as other possible inclusions, along with the leg speed or goal smarts of Troy Menzel, Curtly Hampton and Wayne Milera.
“We’ve got some options – Curtly Hampton is back up and playing and started the year really well, Wayne Milera has been really strong, Troy Menzel has kicked the most goals (in the SANFL) over the last few weeks and his pressure has been really good,” Teague said.
“Then if you wanted to go taller you’ve got Jono Beech in the air, Andy Otten, Alex Keath played forward for us in the SANFL this year.”