Sam Shaw is amongst three inclusions for Adelaide’s do-or-die SANFL clash with South Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.
It will be Shaw’s first game in over a month after a hamstring complaint forced the 23-year-old utility out of Adelaide’s Round 10 fixture against Central District.
Veteran defender Brent Reilly rejoins Shaw in defence, after the 30-year-old was unavailable for last week’s AFL clash due to general soreness. Reilly collected 30 possessions and 17 marks in his last SANFL appearance in Round Nine.
Promising youngster Rory Atkins is the final addition having overcome a minor ankle concern.
Crows state league coach Heath Younie said it was pleasing to see Shaw back in the team.
“Sam has had a frustrating run with injuries in his career so far, so it’s great to see him back this weekend,” Younie told afc.com.au.
“We’ve all seen the potential he has at both ends of the ground. His flexibility will help us against South in what is a real crunch game in the context of our season.”
The Panthers sit three games clear of the Crows in equal-fifth position on the SANFL ladder. Victory is paramount to Adelaide’s slim hopes of seizing a last-gasp finals appearance.
Adelaide downed the Panthers by 21 points in the last meeting between the two sides, and Younie said the Crows were confident they could repeat their Round Eight heroics.
“Reilly and Atkins add some class, so we think we can put in another strong performance this week,” he said.
“It’s a tough road trip and South have shown they’re the real deal this year. But we will back ourselves to get the result.”
Development player Michael O’Malley will play with local club Mannum, while Justin Smart was unavailable for selection with a leg injury.
The match kicks off at 2.10pm at Noarlunga with free entry to all Crows ticketed members.
7Mate will also telecast the game live as part of the SANFL’s Multicultural Round.
The SANFL team is:
B: Sam Shaw, Kyle Hartigan, Sam Siggins
HB: Brent Reilly, Luke Thompson, Jake Kelly
C: Riley Knight, Matt Crouch, Ian Callinan (c)
HF: Alex Spina, Shaun McKernan, Cam Ellis-Yolmen
F: Rory Atkins, Jack Osborn, James Battersby
R: Angus Graham, Mitch Grigg, Jarryd Lyons
Interchange (from): Matt Thompson, Tyson Davis-Neale, Will Paynter, Gene Robinson
In: Reilly, Atkins, Shaw
Out: Smart (inj), O’Malley
Crows ticketed members receive free entry to all of Adelaide’s SANFL matches in 2014. Click here to browse the Club’s membership options and join the 19th Man today.
