Emerging midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen will play his second AFL game against North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Ellis-Yolmen, 22, was one of the Crows’ best performers in the NAB Challenge, playing all three games and averaging 22 possessions. The 189cm, 94kg, midfielder made his AFL debut as the substitute against Fremantle in Round 12 last season.
Head of Football David Noble said the fourth-year Crow had been gradually building towards the consistent form he display throughout the pre-season competition.
“It’s a really good reward for Cam for a couple of good pre-seasons, not just one,” Noble said.
“Cam’s last pre-season was pretty solid, but he just couldn’t quite find the level that he needed to throughout the year. He progressed even further this pre-season and been able to grab hold of an opportunity in the midfield.”
Mitch Grigg, Brodie Martin and James Podsiadly have been named as emergencies.
On Thursday night, it was confirmed defender Kyle Cheney would make his Crows debut on Easter Sunday. Cheney, 25, played 41 games for Hawthorn and Melbourne before joining Adelaide on the final day of the AFL trade period last October. The 187cm, 90kg, third tall defender was recruited to help bolster the developing Crows backline.
Head of Football David Noble said Cheney had impressed with his game knowledge and leadership.
“With Ben Rutten retiring and Andy Otten and Sam Shaw sustaining long-term injuries, we felt we needed to add to our depth in defence,” Noble said.
“It’s good reward for Kyle. He’s taken a punt in coming to another club, his third AFL club, and he’s grabbed his opportunity. He’s a good fella and he’s worked hard.”
Nathan van Berlo will play his first game for premiership points since Round 23, 2013. Van Berlo missed the entire 2014 season after rupturing his Achilles tendon at training in January last year.
The hard-running onballer made his long-awaited comeback in Adelaide’s opening NAB Challenge game against the Kangaroos in Port Lincoln. Sunday will mark 582 days since van Berlo last pulled on the Crows guernsey in the season proper.
“It’s just great to see Nathan back in our colours,” Noble said.
“He’s important to us for a variety of reasons. He’s a leader around the Club and he provides us with great versatility. He can play midfield, forward or back in a variety of roles, which is what Walshy is looking for.”
Matthew Jaensch, who missed the last two rounds of the NAB Challenge, returns after impressing in the Club’s first SANFL trial against Port Magpies. Charlie Cameron has also been recalled after being left out of the team that beat Port Adelaide in the final game of the pre-season competition.
Sunday’s season-opener will be Taylor Walker’s first official game as captain. Limited tickets remain for the match, which starts at 2:50pm (local time).
Read the AFL.com.au preview of Adelaide’s clash with the Kangaroos
Scott Thompson, who didn’t feature in Adelaide’s NAB Challenge campaign because of a hamstring injury, will make his return in the Club’s SANFL trial against West Adelaide at Richmond on Saturday. Young midfielder Sam Kerridge, who has also overcome a hamstring complaint, will continue to build his fitness at training over the weekend and will not play at either level.
“Scott didn’t play at all over the NAB Challenge, so from a preparation point of view we just felt he wasn’t quite ready to come straight back into the AFL team. He needs to play a game in the SANFL and get some match fitness under his belt,” Noble said.
“Sam is tracking along well, but just wasn’t quite ready to play this week. He’ll train hard over the weekend with the view to being available to play next week.”
See the North Melbourne team for Round One
It will be the third time the Crow and Kangaroos have met in the opening round of a season. The biggest crowd Adelaide has played in front of in Round One of any season was 45,436 against Fremantle at Football Park in 2003.
Adelaide’s Live on the Hill match day music returns to Adelaide Oval on Sunday with iconic Australian band Boom Crash Opera. Boom Crash Opera will be on stage from about 2.20pm and play for 20 minutes and then return for two songs during the half-time break.
Event & gate times:
12.45pm – Stadium gates open
12.00pm – Member Services open (Southern/Telstra Plaza)
2:20pm – Boom Crash Opera, Live on The Hill
2.50pm – Adelaide v North Melbourne
Half-time – Boom Crash Opera, Live on The Hill
Post match – Post match function in William Magarey Room
Full ticketing and match day information is available here
