Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says the AFL club can cope without inspirational midfielder Scott Thompson, but he hopes they won’t have to.

Thompson faces a likely ban for a clash at the opening bounce which left Geelong’s Steve Johnson concussed and bleeding from the mouth at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.

Thompson entered the match as outright Brownlow Medal favourite and was his side’s best with 39 touches, including a game-high eight clearances, in the 27-point loss.

In the opening seconds he ran into Johnson, appearing to lift his left arm into the Geelong player’s face.

The fact that it was off the ball and that Johnson had to leave the field is likely to count against Thompson when the match review panel assesses the incident on Monday.

But Sanderson, while admitting he had yet to see a replay, was hopeful Thompson would escape sanction.

“I’ll have to go back and have a look at it,” Sanderson said.

“I notice he was pushed into him, but I’m not sure.

“I’d be disappointed if he got rubbed out. I think he’ll be fine though.”

Sanderson said Thompson was among a few Crows who stood above the rest on Saturday, but the midfield could manage without him if needed.

“Our midfield’s been really good this year, they’ve been red-hot for the majority of the season,” he said.

“I still thought Thompson, (Patrick) Dangerfield, (Rory) Sloane, those guys were still really good today, even (Matthew) Wright.

“We can’t afford to lose anyone really, but we’ve got good depth there.”

Ruckman Sam Jacobs, a late withdrawal with hamstring soreness, is expected to return against Essendon, while backman Daniel Talia should not miss any football despite copping a corked thigh.

Sanderson said it was yet to be determined whether Kurt Tippett would face the Bombers, after missing the Cats clash with concussion.