“It’s a big concern,’ Port coach Ken Hinkley told reporters on Thursday.
“Charlie … hasn’t missed a game in two years (prior), he’s a critical piece of our team as is Aliir (Aliir) down the other end.
“But we need to step up. We need to fill the boots of someone who is not there.”
All Australian defender Aliir is not expected to return from an ankle operation for four to five weeks and goalsneak Orazio Fantasia is up to eight weeks from making a comeback from pre-season knee surgery.
Hinkley has dumped GWS recruit Jeremy Finlayson for the Adelaide Oval fixture, summoning Jed McEntee for his second AFL game.
The Crows have recalled dual club champion Rory Laird for his first game this year after suffering a broken hand.
Nicks described his players as “hungry” to atone after consecutive losses for his rebuilding team, the youngest side in the AFL.
But the Crows coach, now entering his third season with the club, said he was unfazed by a public spray of his players delivered by board director and club legend Mark Ricciuto on Wednesday.
Following Adelaide’s loss to Collingwood last weekend, Ricciuto told his radio employer Triple M that the Crows “can’t kick, they can’t handball, they can’t kick at goal, they’re giving away free kicks – they really can’t do anything worxjmtzywse”.
