Adelaide’s celebrated indigenous stalwart Graham Johncock has been told he’s still needed, despite continued rejection at the selection table.
Johncock is likely to miss Adelaide’s indigenous round match against North Melbourne on Sunday as his career hangs in the balance.
The 30-year-old has been overlooked for an AFL game since round four, but his captain Nathan van Berlo is adamant Johncock still has much to offer.
“He has been getting some good feedback from the coaches as well as the playing group that we need him,” van Berlo told reporters on Monday.
“He is an important player to the playing group. We know that. The club knows that. All the supporters know how important Graham is for us.”
Johncock, a 227-gamer, made his name as a defender but struggled when permanently moved forward this season by Crows coach Brenton Sanderson.
“It’s a matter of him working with match committee and the coaches to show that he’s ready to come back and the play the role they need of him,” van Berlo said.
The Crows expect Josh Jenkins to front against the Kangaroos, the tall forward reporting no lingering knee issue from a jarring incident in Sunday’s 40-point win against St Kilda.
“We’re not far off it at the moment,” van Berlo said of the Crows, who sit ninth with four wins and four losses.
“Defensively has been the big improvement over the last few weeks – it is something we have been really working at.”
Adelaide’s next month looms as defining, with games against North, Fremantle, Sydney and Richmond before their bye.
“They’re all going to be big games for us,” van Berlo said.