Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks is optimistic that his side's hard-fought victory over Geelong will not be overshadowed by a significant injury toll and potential match review findings.
Callum Ah Chee (hamstring) and Jordon Butts (calf) both failed to finish Thursday night's gripping contest, which the Crows won 11.9 (75) to 10.14 (74). Toby Murray and debutant Hugo Hall-Kahan were involved in a sickening head clash, while Taylor Walker faces scrutiny after shoving an opponent into a marking contest.
Murray and Hall-Kahan collided in the final quarter, temporarily reducing the Crows to one fit man on the bench. However, neither player had to sit out for a concussion test and both returned to play out the match.
'We have complete trust in our medical group about how they do that and we don't take any risk in that space,' Nicks said. 'Player welfare is first and foremost with that. I'm led to believe it's more of just a gash across the nose for Hugo, which just adds a little bit more to his game.'
Walker pushed Geelong defender Connor O'Sullivan into Crows skipper Jordan Dawson in a marking contest—an action the AFL has cracked down on in recent times. 'We had a brief look but we didn't go back and watch it. I'm hoping there wasn't much in it,' Nicks said. 'I probably can't comment on it too much. I haven't had a good enough look.'
In television broadcasts, former AFL stars Nick Riewoldt and David King said they felt Walker would be in trouble. 'It's an absolute no-no, pushing players,' King said on Kayo Sports. 'You're not allowed to push players into the traffic like that. He's in some bother. Not a lot in it but you don't have to do a lot in that instance.'
Walker kicked two crucial goals on his AFL return, while Dawson shook off a sore hip from the collision and inspired his side with three majors from 22 disposals. Adelaide's win was their first against Geelong after six consecutive defeats, lifting them into sixth spot with a 7-5 record ahead of a meeting with the Western Bulldogs next week. It was also the Crows' third one-point victory this season, and seventh game decided by a single-figure margin.
'The boys executed under immense pressure and I'm incredibly proud of the way they went about it,' Nicks said. 'They deserve the result.'
