Latest news with #ex-Melbourne
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Adelaide's Milera set for AFL comeback after year out
Adelaide's injury-troubled halfback Wayne Milera is set to make his AFL comeback after almost a year on the sidelines. Milera is expected to feature when the Crows host St Kilda on Sunday in what will be the 27-year-old's first AFL game since March 29 last year. Milera ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee in the round-three clash against Fremantle last year. He suffered the same injury in 2021 and missed the entire season, and in 2020 played only two games when fracturing a foot which ruled him for the rest of that year. Crows coach Matthew Nicks says Milera, nicknamed Junior, is primed for his comeback provided he emerges unscathed through training leading into Sunday's Adelaide Oval fixture. "We'd love to play Junior, we want to get him out there on a ground he has played a lot of his footy," Nicks told reporters on Thursday. "There's no doubt he's up to the level. He's an extremely talented player and if he's fit and raring to go, he plays." Milera's return puts a further squeeze on spots in Adelaide's season-opener, with recruits Alex Neal-Bullen (ex-Melbourne) and former GWS duo Isaac Cumming and James Peatling certain selections. "There's a healthy competition at the moment for spots, guys know there's going to be some that are a little bit hard done by to miss out," Nicks said. The Crows coach stopped short of declaring the club's highly-rated No.4 draft pick Sid Draper would make his AFL debut against the Saints. "It's important that we remember round one is not the be-all and end-all," Nicks said. "The quicker you can get games into players the better, the more they experience ... there are thing we know he's going to learn from being out there and amongst it. "A young guy coming in, the experience of playing on a big stage for the first time, a sub role might be appropriate. Or do you just let him loose and let him go ... they're decisions we haven't locked in yet."
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lions say 'no malice' in Starcevich concussion incident
Brandon Starcevich's concussion will heighten debate around AFL players pushing opponents into marking contests, with the Brisbane premiership defender to miss their season opener. Starcevich had to be helped from the field on Thursday night after his collision in the second term of the three-point loss to Adelaide at Brighton Homes Arena. Given the league's concussion protocols and the Lions hosting Geelong next Thursday night in the opening game of the season, there is no way Starcevich will be ready. The Lions were dealt a big injury blow as Jordan Dawson spearheaded the Crows to — AFL (@AFL) February 27, 2025 Lions' assistant coach Stuart Dew defended Adelaide forward Dan Curtin, who pushed Starcevich into the marking contest. It comes a few days after West Coast player Reuben Ginbey similarly pushed Richmond's No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor. The collision that followed left Lalor with a broken jaw and concussion, but there was no AFL match review action taken against Ginbey. "It was an unfortunate incident - he obviously got pushed into contact - not much you can do about it," Dew said of Starcevich's injury. "I'm sure it will be looked at... I don't think there's any malice in it, they are just trying to contest the ball. "Sometimes players are going to get it wrong." Starcevich was the only casualty in an entertaining pre-season clash. Brisbane led for most of the game, only to blow a 22-point lead midway through the final term and succumb 14.13 (97) to 13.16 (94). Adelaide kicked the last four goals of the game and then Lions' duo Jaspa Fletcher and Cam Rayner missed gettable set shots in the last few minutes. The two teams would have gained what they wanted out of the match, with Brisbane key forward Eric Hipwood returning from injury and kicking two goals. Can't wait to see what Levi Ashcroft does on the big stage 💪#AFLLionsCrows — AFL (@AFL) February 27, 2025 Levi Ashcroft, the younger brother of Norm Smith Medallist Will, firmed for a round-one debut with his game, which featured a goal in the final term. The Crows badly need a strong start and the win caps their encouraging pre-season. All Adelaide's key newcomers had solid hitouts - former GWS pair James Peatley and Isaac Cumming, new vice-captain and ex-Melbourne player Alex Neal-Bullen, and No.4 draft pick Sid Draper. Coming on in the second half, Draper was prominent through the midfield and he also looks ready for a round-one AFL debut.
