Teenager Chayce Jones has earned a senior recall for Saturday afternoon’s clash with Brisbane at The Gabba.
Jones is set to play his fifth AFL game after he appeared in Adelaide’s first four games of the 2019 season before missing Round Five through concussion.
His inclusion marks the sole change to the side that defeated Port Adelaide in last week’s Showdown, with Jones coming in for forward Riley Knight, who has been omitted.
Jones was impressive in his first appearance for the Crows SANFL side in Round Six with 24 disposals and eight clearances.
Midfielder Matt Crouch has been named in the side, but will face a fitness test on Friday morning after he injured his hip in the second quarter of Showdown 46.
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Crows Science and Medical Services Coordinator Steve Saunders said Crouch would be given every chance to play.
“Matt sustained a contusion or ‘hip pointer’ that was high grade, painful and limited his function significantly during last week’s game against Port,” Saunders said.
“The injury mechanism involved a crush injury to the insertion of his internal oblique abdominal muscle to the pelvic bone.
“This type of injury is usually very painful and slow to improve early in the week. Some cases then improve rapidly after day five.
“Matt’s progress has been slow and frustrating for him. However, match committee will give him every chance to improve sufficiently this week, with the medical team able to make a final decision as to his availability for selection on Friday.”
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Adelaide (3rd) and Brisbane (5th) are both currently sitting at 5-3 on the ladder.
With five teams sharing the same win-loss record, the winner of Saturday’s game will push themselves above the log-jam of teams inside the top eight.
Saturday’s game will be shown live nationwide on Fox Footy 3 from 1.40pm ACST. A delayed telecast will be available on 7mate from 4.30pm in South Australia.
Adelaide's Round Nine side is...
IN - Chayce Jones
OUT - Riley Knight (omitted)