Taylor Walker has been named in the unchanged Adelaide team to play the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday.

Walker was substituted at three-quarter time of the Club’s clash with Hawthorn last week after suffering a badly corked thigh. The captain joined in training on Wednesday and will take his place in the side for the twilight clash with the Lions.

Read the AFL.com.au preview of Saturday’s match

It’s the first time this season the Crows have named an unchanged side, with coach Phil Walsh backing the same 22 to respond to the loss to the Hawks. Defender Ricky Henderson, midfielder Jarryd Lyons and second-year half-forward Riley Knight are the emergencies.

Young defender Jake Lever and 2013 Rising Star runner-up Brad Crouch will return from injury in Adelaide’s SANFL game against Port Magpies at Alberton on Sunday. Ticketed Crows members received free entry to all of the Club’s minor-round SANFL matches.

Two-time Crows Club Champion Scott Thompson will qualify for AFL Life Membership when he lines up against the Lions this weekend. The match starts at 4:35pm local time. Walsh identified tackling as a focus for his team on Saturday and said he was expecting a tough contest against the Lions, who have showed improved form over the past six weeks.

“We’re pretty motivated. To all our fans, I can assure you that we’ve prepared well for this game,”
 Walsh said on Thursday.

“We’re expecting a fierce contest. Like we’ve seen from them (the Lions) a couple of times this year, when they get in their right mindset they are a difficult opponent.

“Every time you get on a plane and travel, you’re vulnerable. We need to be on edge.

“You’ve heard me talk about this (the season) being a 22-round boxing match. We’re 11 rounds in and slightly ahead on points. These next rounds are really important."

For fans in Brisbane or travelling up for the game, Adelaide will have an open training session at the Gabba from 3pm on Friday (June 25) for approximately 45 minutes. On Saturday night, there will be a post-match function upstairs at the Australian National Hotel on the corner of Stanley and Wellington streets (diagonally opposite Gate 9 at the Gabba).

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