Crouch is expected to miss at least four to six weeks after being forced from the ground early in the second quarter at the Gabba and Roos conceded that his recent history of soft tissue injuries was a concern.
“I really haven’t spoken to Crouchy. A player like that, you know that they’re going to be really disappointed,” Roos said on Monday.
“It’s hard enough for a 21-year-old to do a hamstring, but when it’s a 29-year-old who’s had a history of injuries and he gets an injury that might be 4-6 weeks… you know they’re going to be bitterly disappointed so you tend to leave those guys alone for a couple of days,” Roos said.
“He’ll fight through, but players are smart. That’s probably part of the reason you’re leaving them alone, because you know what would be going through Crouchy’s mind.
“Clearly, one of the things he’d be worried about is how is his body going to stand up, and when he trains, is he going to do a hamstring or a calf? [But] he’s resilient enough to do his rehab to come back and hopefully we’ll see him again playing senior footy.”
Roos said the club would continue to monitor Barry Hall’s fitness after he took the field against the Lions under duress from a groin injury sustained the previous week.
He said the club doctors had declared the key forward fit for last weekend’s game but they would be consulted again before the team was named for this Saturday’s game against Carlton at the SCG.
At least one change will be made to the side after Crouch’s injury but Roos said veteran forward Michael O’Loughlin – who was originally earmarked for a round four return – would not be considered for selection.
“I know he’s ticked off all his running, so he’ll join in training this week, but a week’s just probably too soon,” Roos said of O’Loughlin.
“You’re more concerned with Mick about his fitness rather than his touch. He’s probably one of the few guys in our team that can play off a really short break… [but] you definitely wouldn’t see him this week. He’s probably 50/50 for Freo [in round five] at best, I’d say.”
Roos said elevated rookies Mike Pyke and Kristin Thornton would be considered for their senior debuts against Carlton.
