Adelaide Crows pair caught in fiery training punch-on

Two Adelaide Crows players have been caught on camera fighting during a match simulation, days before they’re due to take on fierce rivals Port Adelaide when the AFL returns.

Key position players Kyle Hartigan and Billy Frampton got tangled up during the Crows’ final match simulation before the competition restarts on Thursday night.

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Hartigan and Frampton, who was traded to the Crows by the Power during the most recent trade period, had to be separated by teammates after exchanging a few jumper punches.

There didn’t appear to be anything too sinister in the dust-up, which was over as soon as it began.

Fox Footy reported a Crows spokesperson had played down the incident.

Adelaide teammate Brodie Smith went one better, saying some fire in the belly was just what he wanted to see ahead of the Showdown.

Adelaide Crows teammate plays down training scuffle

In an appearance on The Lowdown Podacst, star defender Smith described the coming together as just ‘a bit of a tussle’.

“I think (Frampton) is pretty clear obviously being from across the road what the rivalry is, but a few of the boys do get stuck into him that he likes to hang out with his Port Adelaide mates,” Smith said.

“We’ve had a few times we’ve walked into cafes and he’s sitting with the Port boys, so we’re still trying to get that out of him.

“But he had a bit of a taste with the trial game back in the pre-season, so I’m sure he’s pretty clear what his role will be if he’s playing Saturday.”

AFL keen for crowds to return

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says the league will cop further financial pain if it means passionate supporters are allowed back into games sooner.

It comes as Nine reports Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has given the all-clear for stadiums in the Sunshine State to be at 25 per cent capacity as soon as this weekend.

Opening up grounds to a limited amount of people won't be profitable, but McLachlan isn't fazed despite the COVID-19 pandemic already bringing about the biggest financial crisis in the league's history.

"I think most of the crowds in the smaller numbers are going to be uneconomic," McLachlan told Fox Footy.

"But our members and supporters have been unbelievable and are in the process of getting clubs through (this crisis).