AFL team: Ricky returns Ricky Henderson will play his first AFL game of the season against GWS on Saturday. Henderson required surgery after fracturing his tibia at the ankle in a pre-season training drill. The athletic utility spent four months on the sidelines before making a comeback in the SANFL in June. The former rookie would’ve been in contention for AFL selection last week, but a corked thigh in his second SANFL game back delayed his return. Henderson is one of four changes to the team that beat Port Adelaide last weekend. David Mackay (concussion) and Rory Laird (quad) have recovered from one-week injuries and will play against the Giants, while retiring full-back Ben Rutten has also been recalled after being managed against Port. See the Stats That Matter ahead of Saturday’s game against the Giants Coach Brenton Sanderson said it was exciting to see Henderson back in the team. “Hendo is such an important player in the way we structure up and we haven’t had him all year,” Sanderson said. “He’s a beautiful and penetrating kick. He’s the right height, at 188cm, so he can play tall or small and he can run the lines. “We’ve waited patiently to get Hendo and a few others back this season. He’s had a really solid week on the track and it’s nice to be getting a fit squad together.” Defender Brent Reilly will miss the game against the Giants because of soreness, while Jason Porplyzia, Luke Thompson and Jarryd Lyons have been omitted. Sanderson said the Crows selectors had to make tough calls on a few unlucky players. “Jason Porplyzia and Luke Thompson both came into the team late last week and played their roles,” Sanderson said. “It’s tough on those two and also Jarryd Lyons, who’s only played three quarters of footy in the last three weeks. It’s a bit unusual to make four changes to a winning team, but we’ve got guys coming back from injury who we believe are in our best 22. “It’s disappointing for the players who miss out, but it shows we’ve got healthy competition for spots and we know we can call upon those guys with confidence when we need them.” Midfielder Sam Kerridge saw a specialist about his injured foot on Thursday. Unfortunately, the injury hasn’t improved with rest and Kerridge is likely to miss between 2-3 weeks. Exciting forward Charlie Cameron (groin) has increased his training load but won’t play for another week or two to allow the injury time to heal fully. Porplyzia, Thompson and Lyons are the emergencies. The Crows will head to Western Sydney on Friday morning and train at Spotless Stadium ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Giants.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 08:54:37 +0000
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