ADELAIDE great Tony Modra has avoided serious brain injury after a life-threatening truck accident, says fellow club icon Mark Ricciuto.

Modra has been released from intensive care after undergoing surgery on his jaw, cheekbone and eye socket.

The Adelaide and Fremantle great suffered facial injuries when a fallen tree branch smashed through the windshield of the truck he was driving last Thursday.

He was near his sheep and cattle farm about 90km south of Adelaide.

The 57-year-old was airlifted to Flinders Medical Centre and underwent facial surgery on Friday, before waking up on Saturday afternoon.

Former Crows captain and good friend Ricciuto said the beloved football figure will require more surgery, but has had a "positive weekend" after being in critical condition.

"He remembered everything that happened, if you can believe that," Ricciuto told Triple M radio.

"So no concussion, no brain injury, which is a huge positive.

"So great news, he’s got no brain issues, a little bit tough emotionally to get through reliving what happened.

"Yesterday, he actually came out of intensive care, which is great, but he's got to go back in and have more surgery today.

"It's a miracle not only that he's alive, but that he's at the point where he is right now.

"It's been a positive weekend, it's definitely fair to say."

Hailed by Crows coach Matthew Nicks as "one of the best footballers to play the game", Modra - wearing the No.6 guernsey - kicked 588 goals in 165 games for the Crows and Dockers between 1992 and 2001.

The Crows faithful paid tribute to the 57-year-old during the Adelaide Oval clash against Melbourne on Saturday, with a round of applause at the six-minute mark.

Adelaide held off the Demons to claim a 17-point victory and move to fifth (9-5) on the ladder ahead of this week's Showdown clash with Port Adelaide.

Crows assistant Murray Davis said the club remains in constant contact with the Modra family.

"We're certainly getting a good feed of how all that's playing out," Davis said on Monday.

"It was just great to see the Adelaide people get behind a legend of this football club.

"It was a pretty special moment on that six-minute mark. We weren't quite aware of it in the coach's box, and we sort of thought, what's all that about?"

Davis praised the resilience of the club's playing group, who have weathered emotional weeks following the death of captain Jordan Dawson's older brother Jaryd in April.

"You lean on your loved ones and people around you, and it teaches you what's important and perspective and gives people resilience," Davis said.

"We've seen this club be able to really connect on that front and do that well."

Statement from Erica Modra and the Modra family

"We want to sincerely thank the many people who have reached out in recent days with messages of support, care and encouragement following Anthony's accident.

"There has been an overwhelming show of love from our friends, extended family, the AFL community across the country, and broader public.

"We are deeply grateful. While it's not possible for us to get back to everyone individually right now, we are reading these messages and want you to know it means so much.

"Our children, Hayley and Luke, have told their Dad how Crows fans showed their support during Saturday’s game and he was overcome with emotion and gratitude.

"What happened last Thursday evening was a freak accident. We are extremely grateful to the three passersby – including two people who were trained in first aid and another who provided comfort – who stopped to help within seconds. The emergency services' professionalism, care and swift action were extraordinary as well. Without doubt, they all played a critical role in saving Anthony's life.

"As parents, we want to acknowledge Luke, whose calmness and quick thinking helped coordinate an immediate response from emergency services, as well as Hayley who was first to the hospital.

"To all of the staff, specialists and surgeons at the Southern Fleurieu Health Service at Victor Harbor and Flinders Medical Centre, we could not ask for better expertise and care.

"Over the past four days, during which Anthony has twice undergone surgery, he has made encouraging progress.

"However, we are still working through the extent of his injuries and as a family, we are in a very challenging period. There's a long road ahead.

"We kindly ask for privacy so we can focus on Anthony's care and recovery. The Adelaide Football Club will provide updates, when appropriate, going forward."