ADELAIDE star Scott Thompson won't be helped through his 100th consecutive game on Sunday against Collingwood, with coach Brenton Sanderson claiming his selection hangs on whether he can last 120 minutes.
Thompson's 99 consecutive games is the second longest active streak in the League behind Sydney Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy (123).
But the 31-year-old has been dogged by back–related hamstring and calf tightness in recent weeks, forcing him to be substituted at three-quarter time against Hawthorn in round 17.
He still managed 20 disposals, seven clearances and a goal assist, but Sanderson ruled out playing Thompson unless he was confident the veteran could run out a full game.
"You're always a little bit wary, particularly with Scotty because he got through three quarters last time and then just felt a bit of tightness," Sanderson said.
"It looks like it's some neural referral, so that means his hamstrings are what's taking the pressure from probably some back-related issues.
"You need to take a guy in if you think he can get through a full game of footy, 120 minutes at match intensity, it's obviously a really important game for us and we can't take anyone in who we think might be able to just get through three quarters.
"He'd be a really good player to have in our side this week."
Thompson's importance on Sunday would be magnified if Magpies tagger Brent Macaffer sticks to either Patrick Dangerfield or Rory Sloane as expected.
Sanderson also confirmed he will tag Scott Pendlebury, despite the absence of his two premier negators in Nathan van Berlo and Sam Kerridge.
Van Berlo is nearing the end of his rehabilitation from a ruptured Achilles but remains several weeks away from a return, while his replacement Kerridge is battling a foot injury.
Matthew Wright is a possible candidate having previously fulfilled the role but Sanderson was tight-lipped as to who his mystery run-with man would be.
"We've had that debate for most of this week, a couple of sleepless nights for me and Scott Camporeale (midfield coach) thinking about who that player might be," he said.
"We can't allow Pendlebury to have time and space – he's their captain, it's a bit game for both clubs, we can’t allow Pendlebury to be running free.
"We've got some options, but Pendlebury's an absolute star, he's their jet."
If Gold Coast loses to the Brisbane Lions on Saturday, the Crows could sneak into the top eight by wining on Sunday.
The club's form has been steadily building and with a miniscule injury list, Sanderson said it would prove hard to beat for the rest of the year.
"It feels like at different times this season when it's been there right for us to grab it and take it, that we haven't been able to," he said.
"But you have to be patient and you have to be tolerant with a young group and it feels like we're starting to turn the corner.
"I think we're going to be a hard team to beat on the run home … if we get our running game, our attack going we're hard to stop."
Twitter: @AFL_Harry
