Premiership player James Podsiadly is among six inclusions to Adelaide’s side for Sunday’s ‘SANFL Showdown’ against Port Adelaide in Balaklava.
Podsiadly, 33, has been sidelined for four weeks after sustaining a small fracture in his lower back during Adelaide’s SANFL season-opener at Prospect Oval. The 104-game veteran, who booted 26 goals at AFL level in his first season as a Crow, has been named at centre half-forward.
Promising youngster Riley Knight will also return from injury to play his first game of the year in the Mid North. Originally from Clare, Knight underwent surgery three months ago to repair damaged ligaments in his ankle.
The 20-year-old played every game for Adelaide’s SANFL side last season and finished joint runner-up in the side's inaugural best and fairest count alongside recent rookie upgrade Jake Kelly.
Left-footer Harrison Wigg returns to the team following his first stint as an emergency for the AFL side.
Tall defender Matthew Johncock – the cousin of Adelaide great Graham – and ex-North Adelaide midfielder Dale Armstrong are both in the mix to make their debut appearances for the Crows.
Dylan Schoenmakers has also been named on the extended interchange bench after slotting five goals in Tea Tree Gully’s 101-point win over Sacred Heart last round.
Sam Kerridge, Brodie Martin and Reilly O’Brien are the three emergencies for Adelaide’s AFL clash with St Kilda on Saturday.
Kyle Hartigan and Matthew Wilson (forceful front-on contact) are confirmed omissions after being suspended in Adelaide’s Round Six loss to Norwood.
Impressive forward Nick Mott, who is the side’s second-best goalkicker for 2015, has been sidelined with a calf injury, while Dylan Ribbons (omitted) will miss his first game for the Crows since Round Four.
The Club hopes Sunday’s game in Balaklava will generate awareness and support for the CFS Foundation,with all proceeds from the match to be donated to the Foundation and the Adelaide Plains Football League. Click hereto find out more about the CFS Foundation and to donate.
Adelaide is committed to taking its annual SANFL home game to regional areas as a ‘thank you’ to the Club’s regional supporters.
A pre-game brunch will be held at the Balaklava Football Club at 10.15am. Tables are still available, with car-parking and admission to the game included in the price. Click here for more information.
Sunday’s clash will be broadcast live on Channel 7. All Crows ticketed members receive free entry to the clash on presentation of their Membership Card.
Norwood and South Adelaide battle for top spot to kick off the round on Friday night.
All other remaining games take place on Sunday afternoon, with Glenelg hoping to notch its first win of the season against the Bloods at The Bay.
North Adelaide host the Eagles at Prospect Oval and Sturt welcome Central District to Unley to complete Round Seven.
Adelaide’s SANFL team is:
B: Sam Pfeiffer (61), Luke Carey (59), Harrison Wigg (35)
HB: Matthew Spencely (50), Sam Siggins (20), Jake Sutcliffe (54)
C: Anthony Wilson (42), Sam Kerridge (17), Brodie Martin (36)
HF: Mitch McGovern (41), James Podsiadly (1), Riley Knight (39)
F: Luke Lowden (40), Jack Osborn (30), Keenan Ramsey (46)
FOL: Reilly O’Brien (43), Ian Callinan (37), Charlie Molyneux (56)
INT (from): Justin Smart (53), Josh Wittwer (48), Dale Armstrong (49), Matthew Johncock (60), Dylan Schoenmakers (55)
IN: Podsiadly, Wigg, Knight, Armstrong, Schoenmakers, Johncock
Out: Hartigan (suspended), Wilson, M (suspended), Ribbons (omitted), Mott (calf)
