Forward Eddie Betts will line up against his former club on Saturday night as one of three inclusions in the Adelaide team to play Carlton.
Promising draftee Darcy Fogarty and defender Jake Kelly have also been recalled, replacing injured captain Taylor Walker, and onballers Riley Knight (managed) and Myles Poholke (omitted).
Crows Head of Football Brett Burton said it was exciting for the Club, its members and supporters to have Betts back in the side after a fortnight out with a hamstring injury.
“Eddie was close to playing last week,” Burton said.
“We’ve missed his zip, his energy and his goal-creating skills up there.
“He’s a high-quality player being an All Australian over the last three years.”
Walker sat out the second half of Adelaide’s win over Gold Coast with hamstring awareness.
Scans cleared the two-time leading goalkicker of significant damage and he’s expected to be fit to play against Port Adelaide next weekend.
“Obviously, on the night (against Gold Coast) we didn’t want to take any risks and that hasn’t changed this week,” Burton said.
“He just didn’t quite come up for this week, so we’ll set him for next week.”
Vice-captain Rory Sloane will also miss this week as he continues his recovery from a foot strain.
Senior leadership group member Tom Lynch will captain Adelaide in Walker and Sloane’s absence. Lynch also assumed the responsibility in the Club’s opening JLT Community Series game earlier in the year.
Wingman David Mackay has overcome glute soreness that saw him finish the game against Gold Coast on the bench. Kelly, who missed the clash with the Suns, has recovered from a hand injury.
The Club is taking a cautious approach with Knight, who missed part of pre-season recovering from ankle surgery.
“We’ll manage Riley’s loads this week. He’s obviously come off a limited preparation,” Burton said.
“He’s been back for two games at AFL level and performed well. It just a case of him being a little bit sore and it’s a long season.”
Poholke, Knight, forward Lachlan Murphy and ruckman Reilly O’Brien are the emergencies.
On Saturday night, the Crows will host the Blues at Adelaide Oval for the very first time.
The game starts at 7:10pm with gates open at 5pm.
Adelaide’s SANFL team will also be in action on Saturday, taking on North Adelaide at Prospect from 2:10pm.
The team is:
IN – Eddie Betts, Darcy Fogarty, Jake Kelly
OUT – Riley Knight (managed), Myles Poholke (omitted), Taylor Walker (hamstring)
