Defender Kyle Cheney will play his first Showdown at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Cheney, who impressed in the Club’s opening two matches, returns after missing the past fortnight with a hamstring injury. The trade-period recruit replaces backman Kyle Hartigan, who has been omitted. Hartigan is the only confirmed out from the team that lost to the Western Bulldogs.
Read AFL Media’s preview of Showdown XXXVIII
Young midfielders Mitch Grigg and Matt Crouch, and forward Charlie Cameron have been included in the Crows’ squad of 25, which will be trimmed to 22 on afc.com.au at 4:30pm on Friday.
Grigg, Cameron and Crouch have been named on an extended interchange along with Matt Jaensch, Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Jake Kelly. Matt Crouch, Ellis-Yolmen, Kelly and Cameron are yet to play in a Showdown.
Rory Laird, who was concussed in the loss to the Dogs, has recovered well and is expected to play in the twilight clash with Port Adelaide.
It will be Phil Walsh’s first Showdown as coach of the Crows. The former Port Adelaide and West Coast assistant said nothing compared to the match between the fierce South Australian rivals.
“This whole town is excited because it’s a great game. The state loves it,” Walsh said.
“When I went to Western Australia for five years, they build up their ‘Derby’ over there and it was so underwhelming. I thought, ‘Is this it? Guys, no disrespect but you’ve got to come to a Showdown!’
“The first Showdown last year, which was also the first game at (the new) Adelaide Oval, was the loudest I’ve ever heard it and then the Crows’ game the second time was deafening as well.
“It’s going to be fantastic on Sunday.”
Limited single, restricted view seats remain for Showdown XXXVIII, which starts at 4:10pm (SA time) on Sunday. The match is expected to sell out prior to Sunday. Fans can secure their place at the ground by becoming a Bronze Member for $30 for kids and $90 for an adult.
Save the Children, in conjunction with the Adelaide Football Club, will be holding a tin rattle at the entry gates to Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Donations will help the victims of the Nepalese earthquake.
Emerging Australian band Where’s Joss will entertain Sunday’s Showdown crowd Live on the Hill. Where’s Joss? will be on stage from about 3.35pm and play for 17 minutes and then return during the half-time break. Full match day information is available here.
Adelaide’s SANFL team will be bolstered by the inclusion of Hartigan and two other key talls for its clash with South Adelaide at Noarlunga on Saturday night. Ticketed Crows members get free entry to all of the Club’s SANFL matches.
Adelaide’s squad of 25 is:
IN: Kyle Cheney, Mitch Grigg, Matt Crouch, Charlie Cameron
OUT: Kyle Hartigan (Omitted)
