ADELAIDE forwards Andy Otten and Tom Lynch are set to miss at least the opening game of the season as they fight to recover from injury.
Otten jarred his knee against Greater Western Sydney in Blacktown last Friday, while Lynch dislocated his shoulder in the same practice match.
Both watched the Crows' first training session at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval on Wednesday morning with Otten sporting a knee brace.
The club is yet to specify an official recovery time for either player, but ruckman Sam Jacobs said it was unlikely they would line up next Thursday against Geelong at Simonds Stadium.
"I think you've seen them walking around out here. They've had their scans…I don't think they'll be ready for Geelong but we're looking forward to getting them back," Jacobs said.
"The exciting thing is that it gives opportunity to a lot of other guys now."
Lewis Johnston and Sam Kerridge lead those in the running for senior selection and both played in a SANFL trial game against Sturt last Saturday.
Young gun Brad Crouch also looked the goods in his first competitive hit-out of the season, but with Johnston booting seven goals and Kerridge four, Jacobs said the club had the depth to cover Lynch and Otten.
"All we can do is look forward and get behind the blokes who are a chance," he said.
"[They've] had super pre-seasons and they've been exposed to footy a bit and they're the blokes who will get their chances."
Wednesday's training session was the Crows’ first since the tragic news of the death of assistant coach Dean Bailey.
Tributes for the late mentor flowed freely on Tuesday and Adelaide CEO Steven Trigg acknowledged the club's responsibility to pursue success in Bailey's absence.
Wednesday's training was sharp and energetic and Jacobs said it was what the former assistant coach would have wanted.
"Part of Dean’s values were to enjoy your footy and play with spirit and to play like Crows and that's what we try and do," he said.
"It was a really good session out there together and it was a bit of fun coming out here to Adelaide Oval."
The Crows will train on their new home ground again on Friday, but that could be their last run on the surface before round two's Showdown against Port Adelaide.
A Rolling Stones concert on March 22 means they can't train at the ground at all next week.
A crowd of at least 50,000 is tipped to pack the Adelaide Oval for its first Showdown, creating a spectacular atmosphere for the players.
"The thought of kicking a goal in front of the hill or playing here in front of a packed stadium is going to be something really special," Jacobs said.
"We don't have the big games like they do in Melbourne, so this is our closest thing to a final. It's really great for the state."
