Rory Sloane with the injured Tom Lynch who is in doubt for round one. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia
INJURY-HIT Adelaide could start the AFL premiership season without seven first-choice players.
While the Crows are waiting for medical specialists to decide the long-term fates of forward Tom Lynch (dislocated shoulder) and defender Andy Otten (strained lateral knee ligament), the club's latest injury victims are almost certainly out of round one contention.
Lynch's shoulder injury could sideline him from anywhere between three to 16 weeks, depending on whether he needs surgery.
Otten's injury — not to his reconstructed knee — will keep him out for between two to eight weeks.
Like Lynch, the time frame for Otten's injury will be determined by whether he needs surgery, which appears unlikely.
But the club concedes both are almost certain to miss the round one clash against Geelong at Simonds Stadium on March 20.
They are likely to join No. 1 forward Taylor Walker (knee), captain Nathan van Berlo (Achilles) and defenders Ricky Henderson (broken leg), Brent Reilly (shoulder) and Rory Laird (adductor) on the sidelines.
Callan Ward puts Andy Otten on the deck. Source: Getty Images
Veteran Reilly played for the Crows' reserves in their trial against Sturt on Saturday but still lacks match conditioning after a six-month rehabilitation from a shoulder reconstruction.
Laird hasn't played a trial for Adelaide because of an adductor strain, putting him behind the eight-ball.
Last year's club champion runner-up Richard Douglas is also causing Adelaide some concern.
He spent Friday night at Sydney's Westmead Hospital after copping an accidental knee to the groin from Giant Callan Ward during the Crows' eight-point practice match triumph at Bankstown Oval.
He has returned to Adelaide but is still experiencing some discomfort and was to be checked out again last night.
On a positive, AFL Rising Star runner-up Brad Crouch came through his return from an Achilles injury — for the Crows reserves — well to put his hand up for round one selection.
"The injuries are not ideal but it's just the hand we've been dealt,'' football operations manager Phil Harper said.
"They've mostly been impact injuries, so they've been unlucky ones, and it might just mean other players will get their opportunities as a result.''
Last year's leading goalkicker Lynch's immediate playing future will be determined by whether he needs surgery.
It is understood the knee popped out of its joint backwards, rather than forwards, which reduces the likelihood of an operation and a longer stint on the sidelines.
But specialists want to examine Lynch further before making a final diagnosis.
The injury to Otten is worse than first feared.
The club had hoped he had only jarred the knee but the lateral ligament is strained, meaning some time out of the game.
"At this stage, we don't anticipate either player needing surgery, however, this will not be confirmed until after they consult their respective specialists," Harper said.
Lynch, Otten head list of winged Crows
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Lynch, Otten head list of winged Crows
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