Mitch Grigg and Kyle Cheney will return from injury in Adelaide’s SANFL clash with North Adelaide on Saturday.
Grigg is set to play his first game in almost six weeks after rolling his ankle during the Club’s mid-season bye. The skilful left-footer notched five consecutive AFL appearances prior to the injury, and last played at State League level in Round Five against South Adelaide.
Cheney will make his first appearance for the SANFL Crows in his return from a back complaint that has sidelined him for two matches. The 25-year-old defender has been named at full-back for Saturday’s match against the Roosters.
Midfielders Nathan van Berlo and Cam Ellis-Yolmen and ruckman Jack Osborn also bolster Adelaide’s lineup for the clash at Prospect Oval.
Van Berlo, 29, last played at SANFL level in a pre-season trial match for South Adelaide in 2010. His last game for premiership points was a decade ago during his first season with the Crows.
Ellis-Yolmen will start on the ball for his first SANFL game of the year. The dynamic midfielder has been Adelaide’s substitute in the Club’s past two AFL games.
Rookie ruckman Osborn returns after serving a one-match suspension and will start at full-forward for the SANFL Crows.
In-form left-footer Rory Atkins is in the mix to make his AFL debut in Sunday’s Showdown XXXIX. Veteran James Podsiadly and backman Sam Shaw have also been named in Adelaide’s 25-man squad.
Young defender Sam Siggins was unavailable for selection due to illness.
Saturday’s SANFL match kicks off at 2.10pm at Prospect Oval with free entry for all Crows ticketed members upon presentation of their 2015 Membership Card. The clash will also be broadcast live on 7Mate.
The Eagles will be searching for their 12th straight victory when they welcome Port Adelaide to Woodville Oval on Saturday afternoon, while Central District must upset third-placed West Adelaide at Elizabeth to keep the Bulldogs’ finals chances alive.
Norwood, Sturt, Glenelg and South Adelaide have a bye in Round 14.
Adelaide’s SANFL Team is:
B: Brock Castree (54), Kyle Cheney (25), Luke Carey (59)
HB: Jake Kelly (47), Andy Otten (22), Harrison Wigg (35)
C: Sam Kerridge (17), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (28), Matthew Spencely (50)
HF: Tyson Lindsay (49), Luke Lowden (40), Anthony Wilson (42)
F: Mitch Grigg (8), Jack Osborn (30), Keenan Ramsey (46)
FOL: Reilly O’Brien (43), Nathan van Berlo (7), Ian Callinan (37)
INT (from): Ben O’Donohue (57), Sam Pfeiffer (61) Josh Wittwer (48), Steven Wellington (56)
IN: Grigg, van Berlo, Cheney, Osborn, Ellis-Yolmen
OUT: Siggins (sickness), James Podsiadly, Sam Shaw, Rory Atkins (AFL)
