Adelaide small forward Ned McHenry will line up for the Crows for the first time this season after being named as one of two inclusions for the clash against Fremantle on Saturday.
McHenry played a vital role in Adelaide’s 78-point SANFL win against Port Adelaide last weekend, amassing 21 disposals, while taking seven marks and kicking two goals.
Winger Chayce Jones, who was the substitute during Showdown 53 last weekend, also comes into the line-up.
Forward Luke Pedlar will miss the game at Adelaide Oval after accepting a one-match suspension due to rough conduct, while midfielder Sam Berry has been rested.
Adelaide Head of Football Adam Kelly said the selection committee was in a fortunate position, given the SANFL had performed well.
“Ned has been in excellent form and has prepared himself exceptionally well for season 2023,” Kelly said.
“He has consistently been one of our very best performers amongst those not in the AFL team and he deserves this opportunity to return to the top level.
“Another with strong form at SANFL level, Chayce had a real impact when he came on as the sub last week in the Showdown.
“It was really pleasing to see him get rewarded for his hard work with a performance that helped our team get the result we were after.”
Berry, meanwhile, suffered an injury to his calf last weekend and the Club was taking a no-risk policy with the on-baller.
“Sam got a knock to his calf in the Showdown which led to us subbing him out of the game in the third quarter,” Kelly said.
“While he may have been able to get up for this weekend we have decided it is best to give Sam a rest to ensure he is able to perform at his best, which he displayed across the pre-season, when he was in excellent form.
“Our squad is in good form at the moment and the pressure for spots in the AFL team is certainly there.
“We have confidence that those coming into the side are ready to perform strongly, a confidence built off the form of others who have come into the side in the past couple of weeks and carried strong SANFL form with them, that being, Lachlan Sholl, Lachlan Murphy, Riley Thilthorpe and Lachlan Gollant.”
Defender James Borlase joins Brayden Cook, Elliott Himmelberg and Harry Schoenberg as the emergencies.
Adelaide takes on Fremantle at Adelaide Oval on Saturday at 1.15pm.
IN: McHenry, Jones
OUT: Pedlar (suspended), Berry (rested)
Adelaide’s Round Four team is:
