Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Matthew Nicks believes recent AFL rule changes have contributed to Adelaide's growing hamstring injury concerns, with the Crows coach suggesting the increased speed of the game is placing greater physical demands on players. Nicks made the comments on Friday ahead of Saturday night's Showdown against Port Adelaide after defender Wayne Milera became the club's eighth hamstring casualty of the season.
Milera has been ruled out after reporting soreness during training earlier this week, although Adelaide expects the injury to be minor. The setback continues a frustrating trend for the Crows, who have also lost Izak Rankine, Callum Ah Chee and veteran Taylor Walker to hamstring injuries during the 2026 campaign.
Nicks believes the issue extends beyond Adelaide, pointing to changes in the game's tempo as a league wide challenge.
"We're seeing it across the league," Nicks told reporters.
Nicks points to faster pace of the game
The Adelaide coach believes several recent rule adjustments have combined to increase the number of high speed efforts players are required to perform during matches.
He highlighted changes including increased interchange rotations and the last touch out of bounds rule as factors that have accelerated the pace of the game.
"With the changes in the game, the speed of the game, it has gone up a lot more high speed than what we're seeing the last few years," Nicks said.
"Extra rotation on the bench, last touch out of bounds, there's a few slight tweaks.
"And a lot of teams are finding some challenges in that space from a games missed point of view."
While Nicks stopped short of directly blaming the AFL's rule changes, he suggested the evolving demands of the modern game are contributing to the increase in soft tissue injuries.
Milera ruled out as Crows make changes
Milera's absence comes despite Adelaide taking a cautious approach after he experienced soreness at training.
Nicks said the decision to leave the defender out was based on minimising risk.
"It was just common sense. No risk taken," he said.
Isaac Cumming returns to the side after recovering from his own hamstring injury, while Josh Worrell has been recalled in place of key defender Nick Murray.
Nicks also dismissed speculation that Worrell had previously been omitted for disciplinary reasons, explaining the intercept defender missed last week's win over Melbourne because of illness.
Showdown arrives with contrasting form
Adelaide enters the latest Showdown in strong form, sitting fifth on the ladder with a 9 and 5 record and firmly in the finals race.
Port Adelaide, meanwhile, has endured a difficult season and sits 15th with just four wins from 14 matches.
The Power have also been hit by injury setbacks, losing Esava Ratugolea and Ewan Mackinlay for the remainder of the season.
Coach Josh Carr has responded with several selection changes, recalling Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines along with Dante Visentini, Jacob Wehr, Brandon Zerk Thatcher and Mitch Zadow.
Todd Marshall, Harrison Ramm and Tom Cochrane have all been omitted.
Nicks wary despite ladder gap
Despite Adelaide entering the match as favourite, Nicks expects another fiercely contested rivalry game regardless of each team's position on the ladder.
He praised Carr and warned that Showdowns have consistently produced close contests irrespective of recent form.
"They have had their challenges," Nicks said.
"But they're playing a great brand of footy and I know Josh really well. I have coached with him along my journey and he's a fantastic coach.
"We understand form means nothing when you come into a Showdown.
"They're tight battles more often than not."
Adelaide will now look to overcome another injury setback as it aims to strengthen its top eight position, while Port Adelaide is chasing an upset victory to revive its fading season.