Adelaide is hopeful that Josh Rachele's knee injury isn't serious, and that he will have a role to play in the remainder of 2025.
Rachele came from the ground, and was subsequently subbed out of the contest just before half time after landing awkwardly in a marking battle during Sunday's win over Melbourne, hyperextending his left knee.
The star forward managed to shoo away trainers and club doctors to slowly walk, and then jog from the field, albeit with a crushed look upon his face.
Cameras panned to the Adelaide coaching box, and Matthew Nicks, like most of the club's fans, dropped their head in their hands.
However, Nicks was "mindful" of not making any calls regarding the severity of the injury, but remained hopeful that the scans wouldn't reveal the worst.
"It's one that we're really mindful of not making any big statements around because we don't know," Nicks said post-match when asked about the severity of his injury.
"He'll definitely go in for a scan, so it was enough of a concern we had to sub him out.
"Our fingers are crossed."
Nicks answered a post-match question regarding Rachele's emotions, saying he is feeling what is to be expected.
Josh Rachele has come from the ground following this contest.#AFLCrowsDees pic.twitter.com/K0EAtf3bsc
— AFL (@AFL) July 6, 2025
"He'd be pretty disappointed, as you can imagine, but we'll hope for the best," he said.
"We'll think positive thoughts."
Adelaide's 13-point win places them ahead of Geelong and Hawthorn in third position, nipping at the heels of reigning premiers Brisbane by two points after 16 games.
However, Sunday's clash against the Demons wasn't all smooth sailing for the hosts, with the visitors leading by 28 points at one stage, before an Izak Rankine masterclass swung the advantage back into the Crows' favour.
Rankine kicked an equal career-high five goals throughout the day, with three of those coming in the first half, helping tick the scoreboard over as Melbourne gained ascendancy.
"You've got to win different ways, so from our point of view it's a really positive win for the footy club," Nicks said.
Izak Rankine with the aura farming celly ๐ถ#AFLCrowsDees pic.twitter.com/j2CZEO3usY
— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 6, 2025
"Thank God he (Rankine) was out there in the first half. We needed something just to keep us in it," he said.
"Without going to an individual, I think we were lucky that Izak was out there in the first half just to finish off the opportunities he got. It kept us in touch, gave us a chance to turn it around."
Adelaide will look to continue its push towards a top-four spot when they take on fellow contenders Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
The game was originally set at Mars Stadium in Ballarat, but due to the renovation of the venue, it has been moved to the Docklands.
