THE Crows are likely to make few changes to their side ahead of this weekend’s highly-anticipated Showdown XXXVIII.
According to Crows’ GM of football Phil Harper, key defender Kyle Cheney is in the mix to return to the backline in Sunday’s clash.
“He’s progressed through all the training with his hamstring, and looks like a good chance to play this week,” Harper said.
Cheney has sat out the past two weeks with a hamstring complaint following the Crows’ encounter with Collingwood in Round 2.
After suffering a concussion during the third quarter in the Crows’ match against the Bulldogs on Sunday, it’s still up in the air as to whether small defender Rory Laird will play in the Showdown.
“He got a knock to the head and will be tested this week for concussion,” Harper said of Laid’s injury.
Luke Lowden and Mitch McGovern remain sidelined this week with Achilles issues, while Sam Kerridge, Sam Shaw and Riley Knight have been ruled out due to respective thigh, hamstring and ankle injuries.
The teams last met during the NAB Challenge where the Power went down by 23 points to a strong Crows side, setting the tone for a fierce rematch this weekend.
It’ll be the first time the Crows have faced the Power’s combination of Ryder and Lobbe in the ruck and forward line; an alliance set to challenge the Crows’ influential big man Sam Jacobs.
Enemy lines: Cheney "likely", Laird to be assessed
Crows' key defender Kyle Cheney has recovered from a hamstring injury and is likely to play in Sunday's Showdown.
