Adelaide Senior Coach Matthew Nicks says Lachlan Murphy will add valuable experience to the Crows’ forward-line when he returns to the team against Melbourne on Saturday.

Murphy will be brought back into the AFL team’s line-up after spending last week with the Club’s SANFL side.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Nicks said the selection committee had a “lengthy discussion” around who would be best to replace the injured Ned McHenry.

When asked why Murphy was selected ahead of handing a debut to young forward Tariek Newchurch, Nicks said “I guess from time in the game and the experience Murph has playing in that forward line, with helping set up the structures”.

“There was a lengthy discussion about what that dynamic looked like ahead of the ball,” Nicks said.

“Tariek was very good on the weekend (in the SANFL) and that was his best game for the year.

“I know there’s a fair bit of noise around getting Tariek into the side and that’s warranted.

“We want to make sure he’s ready… We want to get that (team) balance right as well.”

Nicks said “rounding out his game” with consistent performances was the key to Newchurch earning a call-up to the AFL side.

“At this point it’s just about rounding his game,” Nicks said.

“We’d like to see some consistency in his game with what he put out last week.

“He is very, very good in front of goal, he’s got some really big assets when it comes to his speed and his agility.

“He’s developing really well, he’s a fantastic young kid, so we’ll see when the time is right.

“But I do understand the pressure at the moment for spots and our selection committee understands people want to see Tariek.

“We want to see him as well and he’ll be exciting when the opportunity does come.”

Nicks said the Crows also had plans to honour the late Neil Kerley at Adelaide Oval before the match against the Demons kicked off.

Kerley, who was an influential figure across more than four decades as a player, coach, administrator and media commentator, died on Wednesday.

“We spent some time in the team meeting today giving our young group some background on what Neil meant to footy in South Australia, what he meant to South Australians,” Nicks said.

“I was lucky enough to be coached by Kerls, I was at West Adelaide as a 17-year-old and Kerls was a real presence.

“I remember walking into a room and it was incredible how he held the room.

“He leaves an incredible legacy for footy in South Australia, so we’ll honour him tomorrow, there will be a minute of silence pre-game, we’ll wear black armbands to show our respect.”

Adelaide plays Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday at 4.05pm.