Rory Sloane will return from a fractured cheekbone in Adelaide’s clash with Gold Coast on Saturday.
Sloane, 25, hasn’t played since suffering the injury for the second time this season in the Club’s win over Brisbane at the Gabba in Round 13. He missed a month after fracturing his cheekbone for the first time against Gold Coast in May.
The 2013 Crows Club Champion has been able to participate in non-contact drills for the majority of his rehabilitation. He joined in main training wearing a helmet on Thursday, and has been cleared to play.
Sloane is the only addition to the team that beat Port Adelaide. He returns at the expense of young midfielder Matt Crouch, who has been omitted. All Australian defender Daniel Talia has recovered from a concussion, which saw him subbed out in the second quarter of Sunday’s Showdown.
James Podsiadly, Jarryd Lyons and Sam Shaw are the emergencies.
Read the AFL.com.au preview of Saturday’s clash with the Suns
Interim Coach Scott Camporeale said Sloane was an important inclusion.
“We definitely love having him (Sloane) in there. He’s a great leader of this footy club. He brings something different and never gives up,” Camporeale said.
“He’s a great role model for the group. As I’ve said to all the leaders, leadership is about playing your role as well. He’ll be important, no doubt, especially in the conditions, if it is wet.”
Camporeale praised the form of a number of players currently outside the AFL team.
Midfielders Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Sam Kerridge, Jarryd Lyons and Mitch Grigg, and utilities Shaw and Podsiadly were among the standouts in the Club’s big SANFL win over North Adelaide last weekend.
“There are some real quality players pushing for selection. It’s great because the guys in the AFL know they need to perform to hold their spot,” Camporeale said.
“Ellis-Yolmen went back with an outstanding attitude. Nathan van Berlo went back (with) the same (attitude), Kerridge is coming back off long-term (injury) and he was excellent. Jarryd Lyons hasn’t put a foot wrong for a month or so and Sam Shaw backed up again.
“I’m really impressed … it’s a good problem to have.”
Guest passes to the western stand, reserved seats and GA tickets are still available for the game against Gold Coast, which starts at 1:40pm (local time) on Saturday. Purchase your tickets.
Gates open at midday. Full match day information. Unfortunately, due to the weather forecast the scheduled Kick and Catch for after the game has been cancelled.
Adelaide’s SANFL team takes on West Adelaide at Richmond from 2:10pm on Sunday. Ticketed Crows members receive free entry to the Club’s minor-round SANFL matches. Draftee Mitch McGovern will make his return from a knee complaint against the Bloods.
The AFL team is:
IN: Rory Sloane
OUT: Matt Crouch (omitted)
