Lachlan Murphy has been named to play his first AFL game of 2022 following off-season neck surgery in December.
Murphy was one of three changes named to the Crows side for Friday night’s home Showdown.
Club Champion Rory Laird also returns, as confirmed earlier on Thursday.
Billy Frampton rounds out the inclusions for Round Three and has been named down back.
Skipper Rory Sloane failed to pass a late fitness test after sustaining a knock to his adductor against Collingwood in Round Two.
“We saw that one coming a little bit and will be one we don’t risk,” senior coach Matthew Nicks said.
“Sloane would play on one leg if we allowed him to, (but) he’s done the right thing and put the team first.
“We have a good, young group of kids who will step and lead on-field like he does.”
Brodie Smith will captain the side in Sloane’s absence.
Nick Murray, Luke Pedlar and medical substitute Jake Soligo have been omitted.
Young key forward Riley Thilthorpe will remain in the SANFL side, Nicks confirmed on Thursday.
“Riley is well and truly in that development phase of his career, he’s one year in,” Nicks said.
“He’s started his second year, working on his game and developing areas of his game.
“He’ll continue to do that. He’s working through a period at this point in time where most players after 12 months of being a key forward in the game are doing the same.”
Pedlar, Soligo, Murray and Jackson Hately have been named as emergencies with one to be confirmed as the medical substitute one hour before the game.
Adelaide will face Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night at 7.50pm.
The SANFL side will play a curtain raiser match at 4.10pm.
IN:
Murphy, Laird, Frampton
OUT:
Sloane (adductor), Pedlar, Murray, Soligo (medi-sub)
Adelaide’s Round Three team is:
