Craig ponders happy Crows' selection puzzle

ADELAIDE could be faced with a dilemma at the selection table come round one with four front-line players a chance to return from injury.

Ben Rutten, Jason Porplyzia, Nathan van Berlo and Brad Symes have been out with various injuries but are coming to the end of their recoveries and could be in the running to play against Collingwood in the season opener on Saturday, March 28.

Porplyzia had a shoulder reconstruction in September but is back to full training this week.

The Crows are hopeful the clever forward will get some game time with SANFL club West Adelaide in the ‘gap’ week between the end of the NAB Cup/Challenge competition and start of the regular season.

Symes has had the plaster on his injured hand/wrist removed and Rutten is also listed as two or three weeks away after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee.

Van Berlo’s foot injury is of most concern for the club. The 22-year-old was forced onto crutches after being diagnosed with a plantar fascia tear last month but will start running next week.

Craig conceded it could be risky to play the underdone quartet together in elimination final rematch with the Pies.

“There’s a real possibility that Porplyzia, van Berlo, Rutten and Symes could all be available to play in round one,” Craig exclusively told afl.com.au.

“We could have four guys, who you could say are in our best 22, available but who haven’t played any footy, so that could pose a problem for the selection panel.

“We’ll just have to wait and see how it unfolds, but that’s why their training form and the amount of work they’re doing at the moment is really important.”

Craig said van Berlo would start running again this week.

“Nathan’s injury was a bit different, but he’s walking around pain-free at the moment,” Craig said.

“But until he actually puts some pressure on his foot, we won’t really know where he’s at.”

Rookie James Moss, who played against the QANTAS Indigenous All-Stars in February, will undergo hip surgery this week.