ADELAIDE selectors should have a near full-strength side to pick from when they meet on Wednesday to decide the 28-man-squad that will tackle the Hawks in the NAB Cup semi-final at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.
Nathan Bock, who has been in superb touch over the pre-season, suffered a corked thigh in the 17-point win over Fremantle, but is expected to join the club’s main training session on Wednesday.
Skipper Simon Goodwin also missed the second half of Sunday’s game after feeling some tightness in his hamstring, but he was given the OK to return by the club’s medical staff. Goodwin wanted to resume his role in the forward line, but coach Neil Craig opted to take the safer option with his star midfielder and he warmed the pine as the Crows outran the Dockers.
Brett Burton and Rob Shirley, who were both rested last week, will train on Wednesday and should also be available to play.
All-Australian defender Nathan Bassett (quadricep) is also a chance to join the main group this week, which will be his first hit-out since his teammates left for Dubai.
Nick Gill is progressing with his calf injury, but is probably still two weeks away from playing, while his North Adelaide teammate Greg Gallman will have an MRI scan on his knee on Wednesday.
Gallman injured his knee at training last week, but the club are hopeful scans will reveal a strain rather than a serious tear.
The Hawks will be sweating on the outcome of three separate reports, which emerged from their win over Carlton.
Lance Franklin was booked for wrestling, Campbell Brown for charging and Josh Kennedy for making forceful contact to Marc Murphy.
The winner of Saturday night’s semi-final will take on either St Kilda or Essendon in the NAB Cup grand final. The team that has kicked the highest number of goals in the opening three games of NAB Cup action will host the decider.
Currently Adelaide is leading the way with 34 goals, ahead of Essendon and St Kilda both 28 and Hawthorn on 18.