ADELAIDE'S culture hasn't been adversely affected by its controversial partnership with mind training group Collective Mind, forward Tom Lynch says.
Lynch, who dismissed overtures from Victorian clubs to sign a three-year contract extension on Sunday, is hopeful of returning from a side strain for Saturday's critical encounter with West Coast at Adelaide Oval.
The Crows could also welcome back star midfielder Rory Sloane, All Australian defender Rory Laird and Luke Brown to help them end a four-game losing streak and get their flagging season back on track.
Adelaide cut ties with Collective Mind on Saturday in wake of the pre-season camp on the Gold Coast that coach Don Pyke admitted was "a fail".
TIES CUT Adelaide dumps relationship with Collective Minds
Players were blindfolded for a short bus trip, forced to listen to the Richmond victory song and an Indigenous player took time away from the club after being distressed by the use of an artifact important to his culture.
"I've been at this club for a number of years now and I don't feel like we've had such a well-connected group as we do now," Lynch told reporters on Monday.
"I'm really lucky to be a part of that and fortunate, but enjoy the fact that I can come to the footy club each day.
"(The culture) is at its highest level.
"The noise has been frustrating in terms of the incorrect alleged (reporting) around that, but the reason I'm staying is because of the people at the footy club.
"The boys have put that behind us and we're concentrating on winning games of football."
Lynch has missed the past two games after re-injuring his side in a tackle in the round 11 loss to Greater Western Sydney.
He suffered the same injury at the start of the season.
"I've been able to get a fair bit of training in, so I'll have to train again on Wednesday when our main session is and that will give me my best chance," he said.
"But hopefully, fingers crossed (I can play this weekend)."
Sloane will also be assessed this week, the dual Crows best and fairest a chance to return for his first game since round four.
He was initially sidelined with foot soreness before having a setback with a strained Lisfranc ligament.
"He looks like a caged lion," Lynch said.
"It's been incredibly difficult for him and he's really keen to get out there and help the team and perform."
Sloane's future at the Crows beyond this season remains uncertain, with the out-of-contract free agent generating plenty of interest from rival clubs.
"I'm certainly hopeful (that he will re-sign), he's a good friend of mine and an important player to the club," Lynch said.
