Three Adelaide players are in line to feature for the first time in 2024, after being named in the Crows’ team for their Gather Round match against Melbourne on Thursday night.
Adelaide defenders Luke Nankervis, Patrick Parnell and forward Brayden Cook have been included in the line-up which will take on the Demons at Adelaide Oval.
Nankervis made his AFL debut against Melbourne in Round 19 last year and the 20-year-old went on to play in Rounds 20, 21 and 22, averaging 13.5 disposals.
Adelaide Head of Football Adam Kelly said Nankervis’ versatility would be an asset to the team.
“Luke acquitted himself well at AFL level toward the end of last year and has been in the selection mix throughout the early rounds of 2024,” Kelly said.
“He is athletic, competitive and versatile, and can be deployed in a variety of roles.”
Parnell played five games in 2023 and recorded an individual high of 25 disposals against St Kilda in Round Nine last season.
Cook, a medium forward with a strong overhead mark, enjoyed a solid performance against the Demons in Round 19, 2023.
Kelly said they had earned their selection.
“Among Patty’s strengths is his ball use and preparedness to take the game on (and) these strengths have earned him a spot in the team this week,” Kelly said.
“He is also a tenacious and determined player who commits himself to the contest.
“Cooky has been working hard awaiting the opportunity to present itself.
“Part of his development has been building his versatility (and) we hope that he can make the most of the opportunity because we certainly believe he has AFL level qualities."
Midfielder Sam Berry and backman Jordon Butts - who missed last week’s match with Fremantle due to an ankle injury - round out the inclusions.
“Bez comes in fresh after being a travelling emergency last week,” Kelly said.
“He was outstanding in the pre-season and whilst he wasn’t at his absolute best in the first couple of weeks, we have belief in Sam’s ability and he certainly has the attributes to impact at AFL level.”
Berry, Nankervis, Matt Crouch, Chris Burgess, and Ned McHenry are on the five-player interchange bench, with one to be named the substitute one hour before the game.
Luke Pedlar, Lachlan Sholl and James Borlase have been omitted, while Lachlan Murphy and Wayne Milera are injured.
Pedlar, Borlase and Lachlan Gollant are the emergencies.
Adelaide will open Gather Round for a second, consecutive year and Kelly said the Club was determined to turn its form around.
“We have made five changes this week, two of which were forced,” Kelly said.
“We acknowledge that our game has not presented itself over the first three weeks and we are pursuing our best footy with determination.
"Selection plays a part in this pursuit, and we emphasise, it plays just a part, there are many other factors and considerations, and we are earnestly going to work on those so that we can turn our form around.”
The Crows face Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Thursday at 7.10pm.
IN: Nankervis, Butts, Parnell, Cook, Berry
OUT: Murphy, Milera (injured), Sholl, Borlase, Pedlar (omitted)
Adelaide’s Gather Round team is:
