UPDATE: The Crows will go into this afternoon's clash with Geelong as named, while the Cats have withdrawn stars Jimmy Bartel (ankle) and Matthew Scarlett.
Bartel and Scarlett have been replaced in the team by Tom Gillies and Shannon Byrnes, who will start as the substitute.
Young midfielder Jarryd Lyons will wear the green vest for Adelaide for the season consecutive week.
The Crows will unveil a fourth debutant against Geelong - utility Josh Jenkins.
Jenkins, 22, replaces ruckman Shaun McKernan, who has accepted a one-match ban for striking Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson.
Adelaide joins the Cats and Collingwood in unearthing four first-gamers in 2012. Only newcomers Greater Western Sydney (23) have blooded more debutants in the opening seven rounds. Sam Kerridge (round three), Sam Shaw (round four) and Jarryd Lyons (round five) are the other Crows to debut this season.
Jenkins was rookie-listed by Essendon at the end of 2010 after making the switch from basketball to football earlier that year, and spent last season developing with Bendigo in the VFL.
He pulled on the Crows guernsey for the first time during the NAB Cup and has displayed solid form for SANFL club Sturt, including a four-goal game last weekend.
Coach Brenton Sanderson said the 197cm, 104kg, big man would rotate through the forward line and ruck in his AFL debut.
“Josh is our fourth debutant of the year. It’s good for us to be 5-1 and still be giving opportunities to first-game players,” Sanderson told afc.com.au.
“Josh hasn’t played much footy. He’s come from a basketball background, but he’s really competitive. He can ruck, but can also play forward and apply defensive pressure. His work at ground level is pretty good and if he doesn’t mark the ball he has the ability to go back after it and help keep it in our forward 50m.
“He’s a big boy. Sometimes guys that size can be pretty lanky, but Josh has a strong body and hopefully he’ll be able to bust through a few packs as well. Hopefully, the chemistry between Tippett, Walker and the smalls can continue with Josh in the side.”
Defender Sam Shaw has been cleared to make his return from a hamstring complaint, and will line-up with Glenelg.
“Sam’s missed two weeks with a hamstring injury, so rather than bring him straight back into the team we’re going to have a look at him with Glenelg,” Sanderson said.
The team will have a light run at AAMI Stadium on Friday morning.
The team is:
B: Michael Doughty, Ben Rutten, Graham Johncock
HB: Matt Jaensch, Daniel Talia, Brent Reilly
C: David Mackay, Patrick Dangerfield, Nathan van Berlo
HF: Jared Petrenko, Taylor Walker, Ian Callinan
F: Matt Wright, Kurt Tippett, Jason Porplyzia
R: Sam Jacobs, Scott Thompson, Rory Sloane
Int: Rick Henderson, Josh Jenkins, Jarryd Lyons, Brodie Smith
Emerg: Tom Lynch, Brodie Martin, Brad Symes
In: Josh Jenkins
Out: Shaun McKernan (suspended)
Adelaide takes on Geelong, 12.45pm Saturday 12 May in the Crows next home match AAMI Stadium. Click here for tickets and match day information.
