Adelaide’s SANFL squad is eager to test itself against a strong Woodville-West Torrens outfit in the Crows’ second State League trial match this weekend.
The Club’s State League side will line up against the Eagles at 10.30am on Saturday at AAMI Stadium. The SANFL Crows will be looking to continue their winning momentum after recording an impressive 71-point win over Sturt earlier this month.
Crows development coach and SANFL assistant Tate Kaesler believes Woodville-West Torrens will provide Adelaide’s young SANFL side with a worthy Round One rehearsal on the eve of the 2014 season.
“It will be fantastic, and the Eagles are looking very strong,” Kaesler told afc.com.au.
“The thing with the Eagles is they’re always a fairly strong, solid group. They’ll be bigger around the midfield and our boys will really notice that.”
Woodville-West Torrens enjoyed a competitive season in 2013, finishing second on the SANFL ladder before being bundled out of the finals in a 17-point loss to eventual Grand Finalist North Adelaide.
The Eagles are tipped to be contenders again in 2014 and have added several new recruits to their squad over summer.
“They’ve got a really good side, and they’ve brought a few players in which will only strengthen them,” Kaesler said.
“They’ve also got some really good key forwards that will test our defenders this week.”
Reigning Ken Farmer Medallist Michael Wundke (South Adelaide) will join Andrew Ainger to create a powerful forward presence for the Eagles, while tough midfielder James Boyd (Central District) will add plenty of midfield depth.
Brent Reilly has confirmed he will play for the SANFL Crows in just his second competitive match since undergoing surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder sustained in Round 14 of last season.
Winning form is good form, but Kaesler said the development of the Crows’ young charges remains the priority at this early stage of the year.
“We will hopefully be able to expose some other players from our development squad to give them a taste of senior footy and what it’s all about,” Kaesler said.
“Our main focus is on getting our structures right and improving in a few areas that we thought we were a bit poor against Sturt.
“There’s obviously a big game on Thursday night with the AFL side, but we’re all really excited by our game on Saturday and hopefully we can get some people down to watch the game.”
Entry to Saturday’s trial is free to the public with spectator access limited to the Eastern Stand via Gate Three.
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