Key Crows likely to play in big AFL clash

Adelaide captain Taylor Walker and star onballer Rory Sloane have moved a step closer to playing in the AFL blockbuster against Sydney

Taylor Walker

Adelaide might be without captain Taylor Walker for Friday's blockbuster AFL clash with Sydney. (AAP)

Provided they pull up well from training, Adelaide stars Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane will play in Friday night's home AFL blockbuster against Sydney.

Crows coach Don Pyke said that his captain and No.1 midfielder trained without any restriction on Wednesday.

Walker jarred a toe in last weekend's win over Essendon and Sloane tweaked an existing knee injury.

There was speculation that Walker in particular might not come up for Friday night, but Pyke was upbeat.

"They trained fully - we'll see how they pull up in the morning, but they both got through the session well, which is good," Pyke said.

"No guarantees ... but based on what they did today, both certainly moved themselves closer to playing."

Pyke is mindful of balancing risk with game time for his players as the finals loom.

The Crows are top with two rounds left and the Swans, the league's most in-form team, are fifth and breathing down the throats of fourth-placed Richmond.

"We will take a no risk policy with all of our players, not just these two," Pyke said.

"But I'm also mindful of making sure guys continue to play because that's important leading into finals."

Also, Melbourne remain hopeful that star midfielder Jack Viney will play this Sunday against Brisbane.

Viney, who had foot surgery last month to fix a plantar fascia injury, arrived at the club on crutches on Monday and did not train on Wednesday.

Fellow captain Nathan Jones said the crutches were precautionary.

"He has probably pulled up a little bit sorer than usual but in saying that, he is a pretty tough customer and we expect him to get out there hopefully on the weekend," Jones said

Melbourne will start strong favourites in Sunday's home game against Brisbane at the MCG and a win would confirm their first finals appearance since 2006.

But the sight of Viney on crutches would have Demons fans uneasy.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world