Crows coach Don Pyke is confident untried ruckman Reilly O’Brien has all the tools to perform at AFL level this weekend.
Pyke confirmed on Wednesday that O’Brien, 20, would make his AFL debut and replace the injured Sam Jacobs for Saturday night’s clash with the Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval.
Jacobs suffered a left ankle sprain after falling awkwardly in a marking contest last weekend against Essendon. His absence will end a consecutive games streak of 93, the second-longest in the AFL behind North Melbourne's Sam Gibson (103).
The 201cm O'Brien has proven himself to be the Crows' next-best big man through consistent SANFL form. He’s been named among the team’s best players in seven of 17 matches last year and in six of his 15 games this season.
The second-year Crow is a skilful tap ruckman, but also a strong competitor once the ball goes to ground.
"It's great for 'ROB' (O'Brien), he's been in terrific form in the SANFL and he's really learnt a lot of his craft this year – his last five or six weeks have been really impressive,” Pyke said.
"His follow-up work's really impressive … we're not just picking the next tallest bloke on our list, we're playing a guy who's played ruck and has played really well."
Pyke said the Club hoped Jacobs would only miss one week with the injury.
"Jacobs is genuinely injured, he's not available,” Pyke said.
"Hopefully he'll be right for next week, but we'll see how he trains.”
Pyke also revealed veteran midfielder Scott Thompson wouldn’t play against Lions, as the Crows continue to manage the 300-game onballer through the season.
"I spoke to 'Thommo' over the break about the likelihood of trying to give him another spell between the mid-season bye and the end of the season," Pyke said.
"Six-day break this week, he pulled up a bit sore, so it just made sense."
Pyke said Thompson's replacement would be one of Mitch Grigg, Harrison Wigg or Cam Ellis-Yolmen who have all displayed consistent SANFL form.
Skipper Taylor Walker trained on Wednesday evening and is set to return to the senior line-up if he doesn't aggravate his ankle injury.
Despite beating the Bombers by 82 points last Sunday, the Crows conceded four of the game's final five goals, which cost the club fourth spot on the ladder.
The Crows trail fourth-placed Geelong by just 0.1 per cent, and with the Cats primed for what looms as a big win against Essendon, Adelaide also needs to win big to ensure a double chance remains in reach.
"We spoke briefly about [the finish] in the review on Monday, and it was more just a reminder that if we divert away from how we want to play, that opportunity to be scored against exists," Pyke said.
"Whether that's the last five minutes or five minutes in the first quarter or in the second or third, it's neither here nor there. It was more just some of the things we went away from."
