Ruck recruit Luke Lowden will play his first game as a Crow in Saturday night’s SANFL clash with South Adelaide at Noarlunga.
Talented youngster Mitch McGovern will also make his first appearance in the tri-colours since joining the Club in the 2014 National Draft.
Lowden, 24, moved to Adelaide during last year’s AFL Trade Period in search of greater opportunities after managing just one senior appearance in five seasons with Hawthorn. The 206cm Victorian booted three goals on debut for the Hawks in Round 12 last season, but failed to cement his spot in the premiers’ starting side.
An Achilles injury has kept Lowden on the sidelines so far in his time at West Lakes, however he has made an earlier than expected recovery.
McGovern has also progressed ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from an Achilles concern and will play his first game of the year against the Panthers.
The Club has taken a conservative approach with the 20-year-old, who battled several injuries last season with Claremont in the WAFL after a rapid rise from amateur football. A skilful player with an impressive vertical leap, the 20-year-old was drafted as a forward but has been named on a half-back flank for Saturday night’s encounter.
Kyle Hartigan will also strengthen Adelaide’s inexperienced backline in what will be his first SANFL appearance of the season.
Midfielder Charlie Molyneux from Gawler Central and wingman Justin Smart are the other inclusions to the side that recorded a draw against Glenelg in bizarre circumstances last Friday night.
In-form midfielders Matt Crouch and Mitch Grigg, and livewire forward Charlie Cameron have been summoned for AFL duties, with the trio named in a 25-man squad for Sunday’s Showdown XXXVIII.
Rookie ruckman Jack Osborn (concussion) and Justin Bollenhagen (hamstring), who booted his first goal for Adelaide last week, were unavailable for selection.
South Adelaide competed in last year’s SANFL preliminary final and currently sit top of the table with three wins from its first four games. The Crows are yet to record a SANFL victory this season.
The game will be broadcast live on RPH Radio, which kicks off at 7.10pm. Ticketed Crows members receive free entry to the game with presentation of their 2015 Membership Card.
Norwood and Glenelg kick off Round Five on Friday night at The Parade with the Bays also searching for their first win.
Port Adelaide welcome Woodville-West Torrens to Alberton Oval on Saturday, before Sturt and North Adelaide battle at Peter Motley Oval later in the evening.
Central District confronts West Adelaide at Elizabeth to complete the round on Sunday afternoon.
Adelaide’s SANFL team is:
B: Luke Carey (59), Jake Lever (6), Kyle Hartigan (15)
HB: Harrison Wigg (35), Sam Pfeiffer (61), Mitch McGovern (41)
C: Sam Kerridge (17), Brodie Martin (36), Jake Sutcliffe (54)
HF: Matthew Spencely (50), Luke Lowden (40), Anthony Wilson (42)
F: Josh Wittwer (48), Nick Mott (58), Keenan Ramsey (46)
FOL: Reilly O’Brien (43), Charlie Molyneux (56), Ian Callinan (37)
INT: Justin Smart (57), Ben O’Donohue (57), Dylan Ribbons (52)
IN: McGovern, Lowden, Hartigan, Smart, Molyneux
OUT: Cameron, Grigg, M Crouch (AFL), Osborn (concussion), Bollenhagen (hamstring)
