Young ruckman Reilly O'Brien has joined Adelaide's travelling squad to Sydney, but the Crows insist there's no alarm over their regular ruck duo for their Semi-Final against the Swans.
O'Brien isn't among Adelaide's three emergencies for the SCG final against the Swans on Saturday night, but still flew to Sydney with the squad as insurance for lead tap-man Sam Jacobs and his ruck partner Josh Jenkins.
The second-year Crow, who played the first two games of his AFL career earlier in the season when Jacobs was struck down by an ankle injury, joined emergencies Riley Knight, Andy Otten and Paul Seedsman on the Friday morning flight.
“The only time he gets a game is if Sam Jacobs does something in the warm-up or in training," Crows assistant coach James Podsiadly told reporters at Adelaide Airport.
“Those (extra) guys can get back for the SANFL final on Sunday, so we might as well take everyone.”
Jenkins pulled up with a minor ankle issue from last week's clash with the Roos, but Podsiadly said the forward/ruck was in no doubt for the knockout final.
"He trained pretty solidly on Wednesday and he will train today again," Podsiadly said.
Semi-Final Preview: Crows v Swans
Adelaide has backed the same 22 that accounted for North Melbourne in last weekend’s Elimination Final victory at Adelaide Oval.
Sydney has made two forced changes, with former Crow Kurt Tippett (jaw) and Rising Star winner Callum Mills (hamstring) both out of the team that lost to Greater Western Sydney by 36 points. Toby Nankervis and Jeremy Laidler return to the Swans’ senior side.
Podsiadly said the Crows were expecting a strong response from the finals-hardened Swans in front of their home crowd.
“We expect that,” Podsiadly said.
“A side coming off a loss with a proud history like Sydney, they are going to come out really hard — and they are a contested side anyway. So are we.
“So we are expecting the first 10-15 minutes of the game to be pretty hot and we have to match them in that area.”
The winner of Saturday night’s Semi-Final will advance to a Preliminary Final clash with Geelong at the MCG next Friday night.
James Podsiadly confirms all emergencies will travel & then return to play in SANFL Prelim on Sunday #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/knhT2VND0s
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) September 15, 2016