Adelaide’s All Australian defender Brodie Smith is set to return to AFL ranks after almost a year out because of a knee injury.
Smith is in the selection frame to make his comeback against Adelaide’s arch foe Port Adelaide on Saturday.
The defender has played two state league games in his return after requiring a knee reconstruction after being hurt in last year’s finals series.
“He has been in great form in the SANFL the last two weeks,” Crows captain Taylor Walker said of Smith.
“And his 10 and a half months of rehab has been outstanding.
“He has ticked every box and he will be super-confident that the work he has done will hold him in good stead.
“I can’t confidently sit here and say he’ll play because I’m not on selection but he has done everything he can to put his hand up.”
Smith’s return would be a welcome fillip for the Crows, who realise another loss this weekend officially puts them out of the finals race.
The 12th-placed Crows must win all their remaining four games to have a chance of sneaking into the top eight.
Along with Smith, backman Tom Doedee (concussion), midfielder Richard Douglas (ankle) and utility David Mackay (ribs) are seeking to prove at training on Wednesday that they have recovered from injury.
But wingman Paul Seedsman will be sidelined for at least two matches because of a hamstring strain and forward Mitch McGovern faces a fitness test later this week on an injured shoulder.