Brad Crouch and Jake Lever will return to action in Sunday’s SANFL Showdown IV against Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval.
The duo headlines five inclusions to Adelaide’s SANFL squad, which has also been bolstered by the addition of first-year players Reilly O’Brien and Harrison Wigg.
Crouch, 21, helped Adelaide to its first SANFL win of the year against Sturt in Round Nine after recovering from a pre-season foot injury. The 2013 Rising Star runner-up was rested last week with soreness in the same foot, however scans later cleared the midfielder of any structural damage.
First-round draft pick Lever returns to the team after being sidelined for two matches with an ankle injury. The 194cm, 85g defender has made four AFL appearances in his debut season and last played with the SANFL Crows over seven weeks ago against South Adelaide.
Elevated rookie O’Brien returns to his post in first ruck, while left-footer Wigg strengthens Adelaide’s half-back line.
Former Woodville-West Torrens junior Ben O’Donohue completes Adelaide’s extended interchange bench, which must be trimmed by two on game day.
Riley Knight, Jarryd Lyons and Ricky Henderson remain on standby for the Club’s AFL clash with Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday.
After booting three goals in a half against the Eagles last weekend, Mitch McGovern is out of the team with a knee issue. The West Australian has played just five of a possible nine SANFL matches this season due to injury concerns.
Justin Smart, who booted two goals in last week’s match, has sustained a finger injury, while Josh Wittwer will return to play with local club Hahndorf.
Adelaide is yet to defeat Port Adelaide at SANFL level, with the Magpies claiming victory in all three meetings between the two sides. Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie said on Wednesday that the Crows were “in a good place” to challenge last year’s Grand Finalists this weekend.
Ticketed Crows members receive free entry to the Round 11 clash, which kicks off at 2.10pm at Alberton Oval. Channel 7 will also telecast the match live.
In the weekend’s other SANFL games, Sturt and South Adelaide clash on Saturday afternoon at Peter Motley Oval for a spot in the top five.
The Eagles will aim to continue their winning streak against Central District at Woodville Oval, while interim North Adelaide coach Michael Handby will vie for his first win against West Adelaide at Prospect.
Reigning premiers Norwood travels to Glenelg to confront Glenelg in the other Sunday afternoon fixture.
Adelaide’s SANFL Team is:
B: Jake Lever (6), James Podsiadly (1), Sam Shaw (34)
HB: Harrison Wigg (35), Sam Siggins (20), Ricky Henderson (45)
C: Riley Knight (39), Jarryd Lyons (31), Brodie Martin (36)
HF: Anthony Wilson (42), Keenan Ramsey (46), Matthew Spencely (50)
F: Luke Carey (59), Jack Osborn (30), Ian Callinan (37)
FOLL: Reilly O’Brien (43), Rory Atkins (21), Brad Crouch (2)
INT (from): Matthew Johncock (60), Brock Castree (54), Luke Lowden (40), Sam Pfeiffer (61), Ben O’Donohue (52)
IN: B. Crouch, Lever, Wigg, O’Brien, O’Donohue
OUT: McGovern (knee), Smart (finger), Wittwer (omitted)
