Daniel Curtin: Injury fears as Adelaide Crows’ WA young gun taken from training on a stretcher

Adelaide’s Daniel Curtin has suffered a pre-season injury setback, with the WA young gun taken from training on a stretcher on Monday after dislocating his kneecap. Curtin went down during a wrestling drill at the Crows’ West Lakes practice facility, with medical staff immediately on the scene to inspect his left knee. After spending time in obvious discomfort lying on the turf, the 20-year-old was carted off the field for assessment, with a medico holding a hand on the player’s knee the whole way. The club later confirmed Curtin had dislocated his kneecap, with scans to determine the severity of the issue. It is expected he will need at least six weeks’ recovery, clouding his status for Adelaide’s season opener in less than eight weeks. Curtin was a key reason for Adelaide’s rise to the minor premiership last season, finishing second in Rising Star voting behind Fremantle’s Murphy Reid following an impressive campaign. He featured in all 25 games for the Crows, averaging 13 disposals and adding 11 goals in a wing role amid signing an extension to tie him to the club until at least the end of 2029. The 32-game Claremont product has been tipped to be among the league’s big improvers again this year.