The Crows could unveil as many as three new faces in Sunday’s season-opener against Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval.
Exciting utility Curtly Hampton is a confirmed starter, while recruit Troy Menzel and draftee Myles Poholke have also been included in a squad of 25.
As flagged by coach Don Pyke, captain Taylor Walker and vice-captain Rory Sloane have been named and are tipped to take on the Giants.
Hear Don Pyke talk about selection live in the video above
Walker experienced hamstring tightness late in the Club’s last JLT Community Series match, while Sloane missed the entire pre-season competition after suffering a fractured eye socket at training.
Defenders Andy Otten and Jake Kelly, who didn’t play an AFL game last year, will also be hoping to make their long-awaited senior returns.
After sitting out Adelaide’s final pre-season game because of Achilles soreness, forward Riley Knight has been selected on an extended interchange bench.
The final 22 to take on the Giants will be named on afc.com.au at 4:30pm (SA) on Friday.
Hampton, 24, will line up against his former club. Originally from Alice Springs, the lifelong Crows fan played 51 games for GWS before joining Adelaide at the end of the 2015 season.
Menzel, 22, arrived at West Lakes in the same trade period after 40 matches for Carlton.
An inside midfielder, Poholke was selected by the Crows with pick No.44 in the 2016 National Draft.
Sunday’s game starts at 2:50pm (local) with gates opening at midday. Tickets are still available.
Get more match day information
Ruckman Sam Jacobs is set to play his 150th AFL match against the Giants, while Charlie Cameron will line up for game 50. See more stats that matter ahead of Adelaide’s clash with the premiership favourites.
Veteran midfielder Scott Thompson (shoulder), young backman Jake Lever (hamstring), forward Jono Beech (calf) and untried onballer Dean Gore (concussion) will all return from injury in the Club’s SANFL trial at Football Park on Saturday. Entry is free to the practice match against Woodville-West Torrens, which starts at 11:25am.
It will be a big weekend of Crows footy, with the Club’s women’s team vying for the first-ever AFLW flag at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon. See the women’s team.
NEW: Curtly Hampton, Troy Menzel, Myles Poholke
The team is:
