Adelaide’s injury curse has claimed Tom Lynch, even as they welcome back Rory Sloane and Rory Laird among six changes for their must-win AFL clash.
Lynch was also set to return from a side strain in the massive Adelaide Oval clash on Saturday against West Coast.
But he has concussion after a head knock at training.
Lynch gave Adelaide some badly needed good news on Sunday when he re-signed for three years.
Last year’s grand finalists are mired in a four-game losing streak and a shocking run with injuries has been a key factor in their misfiring season.
“Unfortunately in the last two minutes of our match sim, (Lynch) just got an innocuous head knock,” coach Don Pyke told the club website.
“From there he reported having some headache symptoms. (We) looked at him and decided it looks like he’s got some mild concussion there so he’s been ruled out with that.”
Sloane (foot), who’s been out of action since round four, and Laird (hand) are massive inclusions for the Crows.]
They also regained Luke Brown (ankle), while Curtly Hampton is in the senior side for the first time since round one.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Darcy Fogarty round out the recalls.
Eddie Betts (hamstring), Andy Otten (achilles) and Sam Gibson (hamstring) are also on the casualty list.
The Crows dropped Rory Atkins, Myles Poholke and Patrick Wilson.
Dom Sheed misses out again for the Eagles, who named Brandon Ah Chee and Brayden Ainsworth for Mark LeCras (wrist) and Jackson Nelson.
Carlton regained captain Marc Murphy (foot) among five changes for Saturday’s MCG game against Port Adelaide – his first game since round nine.
Former Melbourne captain Jack Trengove will make his Power debut – just the eighth senior game in five years for the injury-plagued midfielder.
He will replace Darcy Byrne-Jones, who was dropped for being late to training.
The hamstring problems of in-form defender Tom Jonas will be ringing alarm bells in the Port Adelaide medical room.
Jonas sat out round 13 because of a hamstring injury then played last week and is out of action again, with Jack Hombsch taking his place.
GWS ruckman Rory Lobb will make a shock return from a thoracic spine fracture in Saturday night’s big home game against Hawthorn.
Lobb was expected to remain out of action for another fortnight at least but he will replace suspended key forward Jeremy Cameron.
Veteran defender Harry Taylor leads Geelong’s inclusions for their Friday night match against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
Quinton Narkle will make his debut and Cam Guthrie will also return for the Cats.
Matthew Suckling (achilles) is a welcome addition for the Bulldogs and Brad Lynch will join Narkle as an AFL first-gamer.
