Fifteen AFL-listed Crows will feature in Adelaide’s SANFL trial against South Adelaide at Football Park on Saturday.
West Adelaide premiership player Jonathon Beech is set to play his first game in Crows colours after joining the Club in last year’s rookie draft. The 25-year-old has overcome a minor hamstring complaint and will start Saturday’s match at half-forward.
Brad Crouch was originally named in the Club’s NAB Challenge squad to confront Gold Coast but will now line up for his first game of the year against the Panthers.
Trade period recruit Troy Menzel has been named on a wing after kicking a goal in his first Crows match against Fremantle a fortnight ago.
Rory Atkins, Sam Shaw, Jake Kelly, Harry Dear, Reilly O’Brien and Mitch Grigg have all been included after playing in Adelaide’s NAB Challenge loss to the Dockers.
Former Giant Curtly Hampton and teenager Harrison Wigg will again feature at State League level. They were among Adelaide’s best players in the Club’s opening SANFL trial against Port Adelaide at Alberton.
Ruckmen Paul Hunter and Luke Lowden and tall duo Keenan Ramsey and Hugh Greenwood will also play their second SANFL trial this weekend.
Draftee Tom Doedee won’t play this week, but resumed main training on Tuesday and is close to playing.
As many as nine development squad players could feature in Saturday’s clash, with SANFL captain Luke Carey, defenders Matthew Johncock, and Tyson Lindsay, and Port District midfielder Trent Heffernan named among the starting 18.
Saturday’s trial at Football Park begins at 11am and is free to the public. Access to the ground will only be available via Gate 8 near the Checkside Tavern on the western side of the venue.
The match will be Adelaide’s SANFL final hit-out ahead of the team’s Round One clash with West Adelaide at City Mazda Stadium on Saturday, March 26.
Adelaide’s SANFL squad is:
B: Luke Carey (59), Sam Shaw (34), Tyson Lindsay (49)
HB: Curtly Hampton (17), Matthew Johncock (60), Jake Kelly (47)
C: Rory Atkins (21), Harrison Wigg (35), Troy Menzel (32)
HF: Jonathon Beech (1), Keenan Ramsey (46), Hugh Greenwood (20)
F: Harry Dear (38), Paul Hunter (37), Luke Lowden (40)
FOL: Reilly O’Brien (43), Mitch Grigg (8), Trent Heffernan (51)
INT: Brock Castree (54), Brad Crouch (2), Matthew Spencely (50), Josh Wittwer (48), Matthew Leigh (57), Jackson Baldwin (55)
EMG: Wade Hancock (56)
