Alex Keath sees opportunity for Adelaide’s young SANFL defenders to step up and show leadership with several key players in rehabilitation.

Experienced backman Andy Otten will miss several weeks due to a thumb injury, while Sam Shaw (concussion) and Nathan van Berlo (foot) are also among those currently out of action.

SANFL skipper Luke Carey suffered a game-ending ankle injury in the third term of Adelaide’s loss to Glenelg on Sunday, spreading the Crows’ stocks even further in defence.

Keath, playing just his eighth League game, stood tall in their absence alongside youngsters Jake Kelly and Tom Doedee and new Crow Curtly Hampton, who impressed in just his second game at his new club.

It wasn’t enough, however, as Adelaide succumbed to Glenelg by 19 points on Sunday after building a handy three-goal lead early in the contest.

A disappointed Keath said there were still many positives to come out of the loss.

“The ball was coming in a lot today,” he said.

“We’ve got some young guys finding their way in defence, which is exciting. We did our job at different times, but there’s plenty to work on for us.

“Obviously Otto’s (Andy Otten) a very experienced player, and so is ‘Duck’ (Luke Carey). He’s played a lot of footy.

“But that gives opportunity to other guys, like Tom Doedee and Jake Kelly, who have already shown a lot of leadership in the SANFL side. That’s not to mention our development guys who certainly hold their own and are prepared to direct traffic when the team needs it.

“It’s a good opportunity for other players to show leadership.”

Keath has settled into Adelaide’s SANFL side seamlessly after confirming his commitment to football back in March.

The 196cm rookie hits packs hard, is explosive off the mark, and has already shown a willingness to the take the game on with run and carry out of defence.

“My running is a bit of a strength for me,” Keath said.

“But it’s important that I’m looking for that first option and hitting those easy kicks out of the backline.

“As a team, we try to move the ball pretty quickly. The key for us is to try and make them defend us all day as much as we can.”

Sunday’s result leaves Adelaide in fourth place on the SANFL ladder with six rounds remaining. Despite the loss, the SANFL Crows are on the verge of qualifying for the Club’s first SANFL finals series since joining the competition back in 2014.

Next week’s mission is against second-placed Woodville-West Torrens. The Eagles are tipped by many as the team to beat for this year’s premiership.

“We’ll review this game solidly and look at the positives and the negatives. We’ve obviously got plenty to work on from today,” Keath said.

“The Eagles next week becomes a really important game for us now.

“The back-end of the season is going to be exciting. We’re looking to play finals for the first time and really push up there.”