Scott Thompson will play his first game of the year for premiership points in Saturday’s SANFL clash with Central District at Elizabeth.
Thompson, 34, has recovered from an adductor injury sustained in Adelaide’s final pre-season trial against Norwood last month.
The tough midfielder has been named as ruck/rover for the clash with the Bulldogs.
Thompson helps fill the void left by fellow onballer Brad Crouch, who has been promoted to the Club’s AFL team for Saturday’s match against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.
Left-footer Harrison Wigg is out of the SANFL line-up as an AFL emergency for the clash with the Suns. Utility Jonathon Beech and ruckman Reilly O’Brien are also listed as senior emergencies.
Defender Tom Doedee aggravated a shoulder during last week’s clash with South Adelaide and was unavailable for selection.
First-year Crow Jordan Gallucci was unable to overcome a knock to the shin sustained in the same match and won’t play this weekend.
Tyson Lever, a younger brother of Crows defender Jake, is among several members of Adelaide’s SANFL development squad in line to make their Club debut on Saturday.
Lever, former Sturt junior Kurt Waterman, Willunga onballer Braden Altus, gifted goalkicker Blake Launer and two-time Freeling best and fairest John Boxer could all play their first game in Crows colours.
Two players will be trimmed from Adelaide’s extended interchange on game day.
Adelaide is one of three undefeated teams after two rounds of SANFL action, while Central District is still chasing its first win of the season. Full match preview
Crows ticketed members receive free access to the clash at My Money House Oval upon presentation of their 2017 Membership card. Channel Seven will also broadcast the match live from 2.30pm.
The match begins at 2.40pm.
Adelaide’s SANFL team is:
F: Elliott Himmelberg (34), Harry Dear (38), Matthew Signorello (35)
HF: Jonathon Beech (1), Paul Hunter (37), Josh Wittwer (51)
C: Ben Jarman (45), Myles Poholke (31), Hugh Greenwood (20)
HB: Damon Hill (61), Kurt Waterman (60), Matthew Leigh (57)
B: Louis De Michele (66), Sam Tharaldsen (64), Lachlan Murphy (48)
FOL: Reilly O’Brien (43), Scott Thompson (5), Dean Gore (36)
INT (FROM): Braden Altus (45), John Boxer (47), Tyson Lever (56), Blake Launer (52), Joey Brown (46)
IN: Thompson, Boxer, T. Lever, Altus, Waterman, Launer
OUT: Doedee (shoulder), Gallucci (shin), Wigg, B. Crouch (AFL)
