Adelaide has recalled several stars for its NAB Challenge clash with Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.
Taylor Walker, Scott Thompson, Sam Jacobs, Eddie Betts and Daniel Talia, who were left out of the team that travelled to Western Australia to play Fremantle in week two, have all been recalled.
Young midfielders Brad Crouch and Rory Atkins were initially selected in the squad of 27, but have since been excluded for failing to meet the elite standards required in regards to their preparation. The pair will play in Adelaide's SANFL trial on Saturday morning.
Ruckman Reilly O'Brien will also line up in the SANFL after being left out of the final AFL team of 24.
Earlier in the week, forwards Harry Dear and Troy Menzel, defenders Sam Shaw and Jake Kelly, and onballer Mitch Grigg were all squeezed out of the side that lost to Freo.
An interchange cap of 90, which wasn’t implemented in the first two NAB Challenge rounds, will apply this weekend in accordance with the rules of the 2016 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
Games will also be timed in line with the season proper (20 minutes plus time on) as clubs fine tune for Round One. The size of the protected area around ball carrier will be set at 10 metres – a rule which will be introduced for the home and away season after a trial in the NAB Challenge.
Friday night's game starts at 7:40pm (local time). It will be broadcast live on FOX Footy and on the AFL Live App. Available players not selected in Adelaide's AFL team will play in the SANFL trial against South Adelaide at Football Park from 11:00am on Saturday (March 12). Entry is free via gate eight on the western side of the venue.
Rookie-listed forward Jono Beech, who has missed the past fortnight with a slight hamstring strain, is set to play his first game in Crows colours against the Panthers.
Charlie Cameron (knee) and Riley Knight (ankle) were unavailable for selection at either level this weekend as they continue their recovery from injury. Ricky Henderson and Andy Otten, who both had surgery in December, have returned to full training and are building towards match fitness.
IN – Taylor Walker, Eddie Betts, Scott Thompson, Daniel Talia, Sam Jacobs
OUT – Mitch Grigg, Troy Menzel, Jake Kelly, Harry Dear, Sam Shaw, Rory Atkins, Reilly O'Brien
The final team is:
4. Josh Jenkins
5. Scott Thompson
6. Jake Lever
7. Nathan van Berlo
9. Rory Sloane
11. Paul Seedsman
12. Daniel Talia
13. Taylor Walker
14. David Mackay
15. Kyle Hartigan
16. Luke Brown
18. Eddie Betts
24. Sam Jacobs
25. Kyle Cheney
26. Richard Douglas
27. Tom Lynch
28. Cam Ellis-Yolmen
29. Rory Laird
30. Wayne Milera
31. Jarryd Lyons
33. Brodie Smith
36. Dean Gore
41. Mitch McGovern
44. Matt Crouch
