Draftee Jake Lever will make his AFL debut against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

Lever is one of four changes to the Crows team to play the Suns. Midfielders Matt Crouch, Jarryd Lyons and Mitch Grigg have been included in place of injured quartet Ricky Henderson (pectoral), Josh Jenkins (hip), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (hamstring) and Richard Douglas (foot).

Lever, 19, was selected with Adelaide’s first pick (No.14 overall) in last year’s national draft.

The competitive 194cm, 85kg, defender has impressed in four SANFL games, averaging 19 possessions. He displayed his offensive ability last weekend, collecting a season-high 26 touches against the top-of-the-table South Adelaide. Lever leads the SANFL Crows in rebound 50ms (ranked fourth in the SANFL) and marks, and has showed good leadership despite his inexperience.

The former Victoria Metro captain will become the 203rd player to represent the Adelaide Football Club, ninth to wear the No.6 in a game for premiership points.

Read AFL.com.au’s preview of our twilight clash with the Suns

Coach Phil Walsh admitted he considered playing Lever, who missed all of last season after rupturing his ACL at AIS-AFL training, earlier but wanted him to gain more match practice.

“We’ve been really happy with Jake’s development. He’s been keen to get out there and he’s an ambitious kid, which is great, but you’ve got to protect your kids a bit as well,” Walsh said.

“We hope that Jake is going to be a 200-game player for this footy club and a cornerstone, so we didn’t want to just throw him to the wolves first-up.

“He’s a skinny kid … but he’s a really competitive kid as well.  I thought he could come in and play as a third tall, but that’s not really going to be his role (in our current structure). He’s had a lack of footy as well, and it takes a bit of time.

“Now, given the situation with our tall backs it’s probably time to see whether he can do it or not.”

Rory Sloane, who was subbed out in the fourth quarter of Showdown XXXVIII with a corked calf, has been named and is expected to play. Upgraded rookie Reilly O’Brien is an emergency, along with draftee Harrison Wigg and Brodie Martin.

Jenkins is expected to miss three weeks with a hip flexor complaint.

Henderson suffered a slight pectoral strain in Showdown XXXVIII. The rebounding defender doesn’t require surgery, but will be sidelined for about two weeks as the injury heals.

Ellis-Yolmen will also miss a fortnight with a slight hamstring strain. The trio reported ongoing soreness during the week and subsequent scans revealed the minor injuries.

As advised on Monday, Douglas will be sidelined for up to six weeks with a foot complaint.

Matt Crouch, who had a slow start to the year because of an ankle injury, will play his first AFL game of the season. Lyons has been recalled for his third match, while Grigg will make his second appearance of 2015.

Gold Coast has also been forced into multiple changes at the selection table.

Already without captain Gary Ablett, star midfielders David Swallow and Jaeger O’Meara and recruit Nick Malceski because of injury and Stephen May through suspension, the Suns have suspended talented trio Harley Bennell, Trent McKenzie and Brandon Matera for a week for failing to meet team standards.

Walsh said the unpredictability of the Gold Coast side said made him “a little bit nervous”.

“I’m not sure they’ll change how I think they’ve been trying to play but they may bring more talls into their forward line. We’re a little bit up in the air until we see their team,” Walsh said.

“We expect a fierce contest. It’s up to me and the other coaches to make sure the guys’ mindset is ready for that.

“If we think we’re going up there and that it’ll be an easy game, it’s perfect for an ambush.”

Club Champion Daniel Talia will play his 50th consecutive game this weekend.

The Crows will hold a short open training at Metricon Stadium on Saturday from 2:30pm (QLD time).

Adelaide’s SANFL team will take on reigning premiers Norwood at The Parade on Friday night. Young defender Sam Siggins will play his first game of the season against the Redlegs.

The AFL team is:
IN: Jake Lever (debut), Jarryd Lyons, Mitch Grigg, Matt Crouch
OUT: Ricky Henderson (pectoral), Richard Douglas (foot), Josh Jenkins (hip), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (hamstring)