Adelaide has finalised its 27-man SANFL development squad for the upcoming season.

Eleven returning players and 16 new additions feature in the squad, which the Club will call upon to help field its SANFL team throughout 2017.

Josh Wittwer, who has played 16 SANFL games in two seasons with the Crows, and defender Matthew Johncock return for their third year in the program, while Scott Spriggs, Matthew Leigh, Sam Tharaldsen, Tyson Lindsay and Mitchell Minns are also among the familiar names in this year’s squad.

Peter Elfenbein, Daniel Blythe, Damon Hill and Kurt Waterman are back for a second season in the program but all four are yet to make their SANFL debut.

Ex-Central District midfielder Joey Brown is among several new players with experience in the SANFL system.

Brown played over 50 games across four years at Reserves level with the Bulldogs and represented South Australia at the 2014 Under-18 National Championships.

Tall forwards Tom Pinyon, Scott Hunt and Luke Trenorden have also played SANFL Reserves football, while defender James Lean (Woodville-West Torrens), ruckman Brady Zwar (North Adelaide) and wingman Ryan Marini (Sturt) progressed through the SANFL Under-18 ranks.

Northern Knights best and fairest Lachlan Murphy also strengthens this year’s squad as Adelaide’s second interstate signing alongside fellow Victorian Tyson Lever.

Murphy topped the Knights’ best and fairest count last year despite playing only 10 TAC Cup games. The 178cm onballer averaged 28 possessions, six tackles and five clearances per playing alongside Crows draftee Matthew Signorello at Under-18 level and also lined up alongside him for school football side Ivanhoe Grammar.

The SANFL’s annual licence review approved the ability for both AFL clubs to sign two teenage talents from interstate to their SANFL development lists for a maximum period of two years. Adelaide previously had access to South Australian players only for its SANFL development squad.

Adelaide’s first SANFL trial match is against Sturt at Football Park on Saturday, March 11.

The SANFL Crows begin their premiership season on Sunday, April 9 again against the reigning premiers at Peter Motley Oval.