Adelaide Crows coach Matthew Nicks expects Mark Keane to be out for several months, with the AFL world rallying around the All Australian squad member after a sickening pre-season incident. Scans have revealed the 25-year-old suffered a lower leg fracture that requires surgery after he fell awkwardly in a collision with Crows recruit Finnbar Maley.
The pair were both contesting the footy during a pre-season practice game at West Lakes on Friday. Keane only had eyes for the footy and initially took a mark as he was tracking back with the flight of the ball, with Maley racing in to try and get in a spoil.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks expects Crows defender Mark Keane to be out for several months after a sickening pre-season mishap. Pic: Getty/7 News
The two players came together at force, with Keane’s right foot getting caught underneath his body as he toppled to the turf. Footage showed the Irishman immediately grabbing at his lower right leg and he was in obvious distress as shocked teammates looked on.
Keane was eventually able to remove his boot before being helped onto a medicart and taken off the training paddock. The 25-year-old was selected in the 2025 All Australian squad and was integral to Adelaide’s resurgence as they finished the regular season on top, before going out of the finals in straight-sets.
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Crows star Mark Keane expected to be out for 3-4 months
He now requires surgery to fix the lower leg fracture and while there’s not yet a definitive timeframe on Keane’s return, Nicks expects him to be sidelined for several months. “As far as I’m aware to this point, it’s around three or four months (out),” the Crows coach told Adelaide radio station 5AA.
Keane played every game for the table-topping Crows last season and made the All Australian squad, despite missing selection in the final team. But the injury comes as another devastating blow for Adelaide ahead of the new season as Keane joins young gun Dan Curtin on the sidelines.
Adelaide defender Mark Keane is expected to be out for several months after his sickening training mishap. Pic: Getty
(Mark Brake via Getty Images)
Curtin dislocated a knee during a wrestling drill in another gruesome training mishap for the Crows in January. The 20-year-old underwent surgery and will be sidelined until at least round seven.
“I’m feeling good, my knee is feeling good,” Curtin revealed on the club’s website. “I have taken a lot of positives out of it and actually feeling alright, considering the circumstances, it’s actually a really good outcome.”
Adelaide’s pre-season includes a match sim against cross-town rivals Port Adelaide on February 20, as well as a AAMI Community Series against Fremantle on February 28. The Crows kick off their AFL season on March 14 against Collingwood at the MCG, and fans have flooded social media to wish Keane a speedy recover.