Fans will get their first look at Bryce Gibbs and Sam Gibson in Adelaide colours in Sunday’s JLT Community Series clash with Fremantle at Strathalbyn.
Trade Period recruits Gibbs and Gibson have been named in a Crows squad of 30 for the opening weekend of the pre-season competition.
Gibbs, 28, has returned to South Australia after 231 games for Carlton. Gibson, who played 130-consecutive matches for North Melbourne, also adds to Adelaide’s midfield depth this season.
When asked by local media about Gibbs’ transition to the Club, coach Don Pyke said he’d been thoroughly impressed by the Blues best and fairest winner.
“He (Gibbs) has come in and hardly missed a beat,” Pyke said on Thursday.
“I don’t recall him missing any sessions. He’s pretty much done full training.
“He’s been impressive, and we’re looking forward to seeing him out there in a Crows jumper on Sunday.
“We’ve got some guys who have played a fair bit of footy together, and he (Gibbs) hasn’t, so the more opportunities he gets to play alongside guys that he’s going to be playing with in the home and away (season), the better.”
First-round draft pick Darcy Fogarty, emerging defender Tom Doedee and promising second-year players Myles Poholke, Elliott Himmelberg, Matt Signorello and Ben Davis are also among the possible inclusions.
The extended squad will be reduced to 26, which includes eight interchange players, on Friday afternoon.
Pyke said there were spots up for grabs, with Round One less than a month away.
“It’s almost about guys actually picking themselves,” he said.
“That’s the opportunity they get over the next few weeks, is to push their claims forward and to say ‘Here’s a reason why you should pick me ahead of this guy.’
“In a lot of ways the side sort of does pick itself, because the guys’ efforts not only on the training track, but now come game time, (will show) who’s going to play those roles and who’s going to step up.”
Taylor Walker (foot), Riley Knight (ankle), Jordan Gallucci (foot) and Brodie Smith (knee) were unavailable for selection through injury.
Midfielders Brad Crouch and Hugh Greenwood are building up their training loads with a view to playing in Adelaide’s second pre-season game against Port Adelaide on March 10.
Experienced players Rory Sloane, Eddie Betts and Richard Douglas also won’t feature this weekend as part of their ongoing preparations for the season proper.
Sunday’s game at Strathalbyn Oval starts at 1:35pm (local) with gates open from midday.
Adelaide members with game access will have free entry to the 2018 JLT Community Series matches in which the Crows are competing. Members with game access can scan their membership card at the ground for free general admission into matches (subject to capacity).
In order to guarantee entry, members have the opportunity to register for a ticket online (subject to availability, upgrade fees may be applicable).
All JLT Community Series matches will be broadcast on Fox Footy and can also be viewed on the AFL Live Official App.
The squad of 30 is:
4. Josh Jenkins
5. Matt Crouch
6. Bryce Gibbs
8. Jake Kelly
10. Myles Poholke
11. Paul Seedsman
12. Daniel Talia
14. David Mackay
16. Luke Brown
17. Curtly Hampton
20. Sam Gibson
21. Rory Atkins
22. Andy Otten
24. Sam Jacobs
25. Kyle Cheney
27. Tom Lynch
28. Cam Ellis-Yolmen
29. Rory Laird
31. Patrick Wilson
32. Darcy Fogarty
34. Elliott Himmelberg
35. Matt Signorello
37. Paul Hunter
38. Harry Dear
39. Tom Doedee
40. Ben Davis
41. Mitch McGovern
42. Alex Keath
43. Reilly O’Brien
44. Lachlan Murphy
