Crows veteran Daniel Talia is stepping up his pre-season training load, running at full speed, five months after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The 29-year-old defender,
who underwent the procedure in September, had been restricted to indoor rehabilitation on the AlterG treadmill until the past fortnight. On Thursday, Talia was put through a series of sideline sprints at West Lakes while his teammates did drills and then had a match simulation. Tom Doedee sat out too, jogging away from the main group, nursing a groin complaint. The backman is expected to rejoin full training next week.
Also on the sidelines were long-kicking Paul Seedsman and pick No. 25 Brayden Cook. Seedsman felt hamstring tightness during the session, while Cook did skills practice with a coach as part of his workload being managed through his first pre-season.
Ruckman Reilly O’Brien came off midway through the match simulation after sustaining a cut above his left eye. He returned to the field with a bandage wrapped around his forehead and continued his battle with Kieran Strachan.
Wayne Milera rolled his ankle but completed the game and performed strongly, lining up in the midfield. Teammate Tom Lynch said Milera, who rejoined the main group last month after foot problems ruined his 2020 campaign, had been building his preparation. “He obviously played a pivotal role (on Thursday) and he’s an important player,” Lynch said.
Here were some other match simulation observations:
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Tall defender Nick Murray is firming to be rookie-listed during the Supplementary Selection Period. Plucked from country NSW, he looked in great condition, took a huge early mark and competed well.
■ Harry Schoenberg appears ready to take another step. Playing in the midfield and pushing forward at stoppages, he kicked two early goals, just from being in the right spot, front and centre.
■ Ned McHenry looks physically more mature. And the 20-year-old showed his strength when he fended off Brodie Smith to the ground after winning a contested ball.
■ Lynch seems to have found a new home on a wing. He played there on Thursday and been doing so this summer. Lynch, a Crows AFLW assistant, was unable to train with the group earlier this month
after having to quarantine coming back from WA.
■ After finishing his 2020 campaign strongly, Elliott Himmelberg has picked up where he left off, taking strong marks and covering plenty of ground. The key forward was rewarded with a new two-year contract in September.
