Adelaide Crows hopeful Tom McGuane has encountered a significant hurdle in his quest for an AFL list spot, sustaining an ankle injury during training that threatens to derail his trial period.
Injury Blow for Father-Son Prospect
The 18-year-old son of Collingwood great Mick McGuane was seen on crutches and wearing a moonboot at Crows training on Wednesday, a despondent figure after the training ground mishap. The left-footer is now expected to miss at least a few weeks of his crucial audition with the club.
McGuane earned a train-on opportunity with Adelaide after the Magpies, where his father is a 1990 premiership player and Hall of Famer, declined to select him as a father-son prospect in October. The family was reportedly "blindsided" by the timing of Collingwood's decision, delivered the day before Tom was due at a club academy session.
Race Against the SSP Clock
The setback places McGuane behind the eight-ball with the AFL's Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) closing on February 20. There remains time for him to recover and impress Adelaide's recruiting staff, but the lost weeks are a major blow.
McGuane, a hard-working ball-magnet who averaged 27.9 disposals in 10 Talent League games this year and represented Vic Metro, had spoken of his determination following the Collingwood snub. He said he now had a "chip on my shoulder" and was "super grateful" for the Crows' chance, vowing to do "whatever it takes" to achieve his AFL dream.
His father Mick revealed the profound initial impact, stating "my son was inconsolable for hours" after the Pies' decision and that Tom had sacrificed immensely since age 14 for his dream of wearing the black and white stripes.
Foot Also Fighting for List Spot
McGuane is not the only player aiming to secure a list position through the SSP at West Lakes. Former Sydney Swans player Zac Foot is also trialling with the Crows.
Foot, who played two games for the Swans in 2020 before being delisted, has spent time with the Casey Demons in the VFL. He now seeks to reignite his AFL career at Adelaide.
The coming weeks will be critical for both players as they aim to prove their fitness and capability before the February deadline.
