ADELAIDE coach Phil Walsh is happy with the progress made by injured midfielder Brad Crouch and is confident the 21-year-old will still be able to make a strong contribution upon his return.
Crouch broke his foot in the club's final NAB Challenge game against Port Adelaide on March 21, ruling him out for up to eight weeks.
He underwent surgery and has worn a moon boot since.
The runner-up to the 2013 NAB AFL Rising Star Award has endured terrible luck early in seasons so far in his career, with a hamstring injury in 2013 and a broken leg last year keeping him to 14 and 11 games each year.
Impressively, though, the youngster has always rebounded strongly.
He averaged 25 possessions a game each year and increased his average tackles to almost six a game last season.
Walsh was understandably confident he'd be able to replicate his post-injury form in 2015.
"I spoke with Brad yesterday, so he's in at the club, I think he's got maybe four more weeks with the moon boot on," Walsh said.
"But he's in good spirits, he's a resilient kid, he's overcome some injuries in the past – we're very confident that we'll see some good footy from Brad this year."
Adelaide's season-opener against North Melbourne on Sunday will be Walsh's first game for premiership points as coach.
He's previously insisted he doesn't get nervous in the lead-up to matches and stories about his pre-game behaviour more than justify his claim.
After 20 years as an assistant Walsh's just keen to get back into the coaching box.
"I'm excited in footy all the time – this is what I like to do," he said.
"Round one, it's been along wait but it's now time to perform so I'm looking forward to performing.
"I enjoy being in the coach's box, I've been in the coach's box for a long period of time as an assistant coach, I understand my role as a senior coach, I'm looking forward to it."
