Adelaide has sprung a selection shock, naming captain Taylor Walker in the 26-man squad for Sunday’s clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
Walker has booted 17 goals from his six appearances so far in 2018 but has missed the last three games to undergo a conditioning program.
“Great to say Taylor, the skipper, back. He’s ready to go,” assistant coach Ben Hart said.
“He’s done a lot of work over the last three weeks and we’re excited to get him back in. He’ll add a lot to our group so looking forward to seeing him play.
“He’s put some high-volume training sessions together. He’s really confident in himself and he’s putting his hand up not just because he thinks we need him to play, but because he’s ready to play."
The skipper’s inclusion provides Don Pyke with a welcome boost of leadership, with All Australian defender Rory Laird (hand) and forward Tom Lynch (side strain) both to miss the flight west this weekend.
Hart is hopeful both will only miss one week.
“Unfortunately, Rory Laird won’t be available. He tried hard, but he just couldn’t quite handle the ball as well as we would’ve liked so he’ll miss one week; hopefully only one,” he said.
“We’re hoping Tom Lynch will only be one week (too). He got a kick in the side but also strained it, so pretty sore and didn’t do a lot at training today so we decided we’ll give him this one off.”
Jordan Gallucci, Myles Poholke, Andy Otten and Reilly O’Brien have all been named on an extended interchange, as has mature-aged rookie Patrick Wilson.
The Sturt premiership player would make his AFL debut if selected in the final team, which will be announced at 4.30pm on Friday.
Adelaide’s 26-man squad is…
IN – T. Walker, J. Gallucci, M. Poholke, A. Otten, P. Wilson, R. O’Brien
OUT – T. Lynch (side strain), R. Laird (hand)
B: K. Hartigan, D. Talia, L. Brown
HB: P. Seedsman, T. Doedee, B. Gibbs
C: D. Mackay, R. Douglas, R. Atkins
HF: W. Milera, T. Walker, L. Murphy
F: D. Fogarty, J. Jenkins, E. Betts
FOLL: S. Jacobs, M. Crouch, C. Ellis-
INT (from): H. Greenwood, J. Gallucci, J. Kelly, M. Poholke, S. Gibson, A. Otten, P. Wilson, R. O’Brien
