Perhaps the recruit of the season and dangerous Adelaide forward Izak Rankine will likely miss 3-4 weeks with a hamstring injury, suffered late in the fourth quarter in his side's four-point loss to Melbourne on Sunday at the MCG.
The incident occurred in devastating fashion, with Rankine in the midst of a near-best-on-ground performance in what could've been an upset win for the Crows.
With just over three minutes remaining, Rankine gathered a handball receive and sprinted forward before disposing of the ball and being pushed off balance by Melbourne defender Adam Tomlinson. He immediately grabbed his right hamstring, fell to the ground wincing in pain and could not return to play as Melbourne held on to win.
Adelaide's High Performance Manager Darren Burgess could not reveal a definitive injury timeline but was able to share some information on Monday.
“While it's disappointing to lose Izak, fortunately, there was little to no tendon involvement, so he will begin his rehab process and we anticipate that being 3-4 weeks before he returns to play,” Burgess said.
“Izak has had hamstring injuries in the past, so he knows what is required with his rehabilitation and will work closely with our medical team to get back.”
In more devastating news, Adelaide backman Nick Murray has been ruled out for the remainder of 2023 with an ACL injury suffered late in the third quarter of the same match.
Murray landed awkwardly in a marking contest, left the field and did not return for the remainder of the match, leaving the Adelaide defence especially undermanned after Jordon Butts was subbed out.
As part of a club statement on Monday, Burgess spoke on Murray's heartbreaking injury, outlining his positive development since arriving at West Lakes.
"Obviously, it's shattering news for Nick and the team," Burgess said.
"He's been in great form and taken significant steps in his development in the past three years.
"Knowing the player he is, he will attack his rehab with the right attitude and be back bigger and better," he added.
Both losses are crucial to Adelaide's finals chances, with every match essentially being a must-win, including this weekend's showdown against Port Adelaide.
Rankine was the unofficial best-on-ground performer in Adelaide's defeat of the Power back in Round 3, while Murray was also pivotal, holding Todd Marshall to just one goal.
Showdown II for 2023 begins this Saturday, 7:40 PM (AEST) for what shapes as a potential Round 20 thriller in another astounding home & away season.
