ADELAIDE midfield coach Scott Camporeale expects Brad Crouch to shake off his latest injury hurdle and be a major contributor to the Crows' engine room this year.
Crouch will miss the entire JLT Community Series and is unlikely to play in the round one clash with Greater Western Sydney as he recovers from a hamstring strain.
The 23-year-old has played just 27 games in the past three seasons since finishing runner-up in the NAB AFL Rising Star award to Jaeger O'Meara in 2013.
"He's had a little setback with his hamstring, no major issues, obviously we're looking forward to getting him back fully fit," Camporeale told AFL.com.au on Friday.
"We're really confident in the medical staff and the high performance team that they're giving him the best care.
"At the end of the day, it's only a hamstring strain, nothing structurally or anything, so we expect him to make a full recovery and to have a real impact this year."
It's the third time Crouch has injured his hamstring.
When fit, Crouch showed how damaging he can be when he averaged 27.4 possessions in the eight games from rounds 14-21 last season.
That was after he missed a month with a hamstring injury early last year and was dropped from the side after the round eight loss to Geelong.
"We think he's in our best 22, but he still needs to get back to game fitness and we think he's important, so we won't rush him," Camporeale said.
"We'll make sure he's ready to play an AFL game and a full game."
Crouch last year signed a four-year contract extension with the Crows until the end of 2020.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen is a like-for-like replacement, while forward Charlie Cameron and pre-season sensation Riley Knight will also spend time in the midfield.
Ellis-Yolmen played only two games last year, but showcased terrific form in the SANFL.
"He's certainly one of our best guys with his clearance work and around stoppages," Camporeale said.
"He's still got to continue to work on his outside work, which he's trying to do.
"If he warrants selection for round one, he'll be the one we go with."
Cameron has improved his running capacity during the summer to allow him to spend longer bursts through the midfield.
He was close to the Crows' best in their semi-final loss to Sydney at the SCG with his pace on the wing.
Knight won the club's first 2km time trial in November and is eager to make the most of his opportunities after only playing one game last season.
Draftees Jordan Gallucci and Myles Poholke will also be in consideration.
"There's no ceiling on those guys," Camporeale said.
"As we say to our guys, the game doesn't matter how old you are, if you're form warrants it and you're ready to play, we'll pick you.
"We'll certainly see over the JLT Community Series who wants to put their hand up and potentially be a midfield player for the Adelaide Crows for round one."
