ADELAIDE'S Matthew Jaensch will miss three weeks after the club confirmed the much-improved defender broke his ribs against Melbourne last Saturday night.
The 24-year-old received a knock to the back of his ribcage in the second quarter against the Demons and played no further part in the match after half-time.
Jaensch has taken his game to new heights this season as one of Adelaide's go-to men at half-back.
He has averaged 22 disposals a game, but will now join Tom Lynch on the sidelines. Lynch broke his jaw in the same game and is tipped to miss up to six weeks.
Although their absence is a blow to Adelaide's hopes of resurrecting its season, the club will benefit from the returns of suspended midfielder Richard Douglas and forward Taylor Walker.
Walker has booted seven goals in his two SANFL games, including four on the weekend.
He's expected to play his first game of AFL football against the Magpies in round nine since undergoing a knee reconstruction last year.
