Adelaide captain Taylor Walker and midfielder Brad Crouch are unlikely to face Essendon in their round one clash at Etihad Stadium.
Walker is struggling with a foot injury while Crouch has an abdominal strain, and the pair are reportedly set to miss the opening match according to SEN's South Australian correspondent Tom Rehn.
“I think he (Walker) will probably miss, and I think Brad Crouch is in a similar boat,” Rehn told SEN’s KB and The Doc on Monday.
“I don’t think they’re that far away, I think they will come in round two, maybe round three.
“I think it’s really unlikely they will play those guys early on.”
Neither player has featured during the JLT Community Series, and will be in a race against time to be fit for the following Thursday's grand final rematch with Richmond at the Adelaide Oval.
Rehn also suggested Lachlan Murphy could be a surprise bolter into the round one side, after an impressive pre-season display.
