McIntyre, 23, pulled on the Crows guernsey during the NAB Cup and has been in good form for Sturt. He has kicked nine goals in his past two games and currently lead’s the SANFL goalkicking (30).

McIntyre will become the 189^th player to represent Adelaide, and will do so in the Club’s 500^th AFL game. Only Greater Western Sydney (30), Geelong (eight) and Collingwood (seven) have blooded more debutants this season.

The 176cm, 79kg, goalkicker will help cover the loss of small forwards Jared Petrenko (foot) and Ian Callinan (corked calf), who will miss the clash with Port Adelaide through injury. Suspended forward Taylor Walker will also be absent from the Crows forward line.

Utilities Shaun McKernan and Ricky Henderson have also been called up to replace the outgoing trio.

Coach Brenton Sanderson said he expected the hard-working McIntyre to make the most of his long-awaited opportunity at AFL level.

“Tim was overlooked initially in the draft as an 18-year-old. He moved over here (from New South Wales) and has played for Sturt for the past couple of seasons,” Sanderson told afc.com.au.

“He’s a goalkicking small for us, but at Sturt he plays as a key-position forward. He’s like a mini version of Jason Porplyzia. He know where the goals are. He’s just a great story and another example of the rookie list working, with a player who has been overlooked getting a chance.”

Petrenko and Callinan both played out last week’s match against Richmond, but pulled up sore and were unable to train fully during the week.

“Petrenko and Callinan both had fitness tests on Thursday morning,” Sanderson said.

“So, they were border line, but unfortunately neither of them quite got there. Hopefully, they’ll both be available next week.”

Have you also read about the young Crow, who has signed a new two-year deal?

McKernan, who was omitted from the team to play Richmond, returns after a dominant display for South Adelaide, while Henderson will make his first appearance since round nine.

Sanderson said the pair would add flexibility to the line-up.

“McKernan only came in for one match against North Melbourne, which was our worst game for the year almost,” he said.

“He went back to South Adelaide and had a great game last week. He kicked 5.2 and was also good in the ruck. He’ll give Sam Jacobs a bit of a chop out in the ruck and can kick goals obviously.

“And Hendo hasn’t done much wrong. It’s probably been Sam Shaw’s good form that has kept him out of the side. With a couple of changes, Hendo’s got the ability to play forward, midfield and back.

“He’s a great utility to have in the side.”

Sanderson said veteran Graham Johncock, whose SANFL club Port Magpies have a bye this week, would complete some more high-intensity training to build his match fitness.

The emergencies are Luke Brown, Tom Lynch and Richard Tambling.

The team is:

INS: Ricky Henderson, Tim McIntyre, Shaun McKernan
OUTS: Ian Callinan (corked calf), Jared Petrenko (foot), Taylor Walker (suspended)

B: Daniel Talia, Ben Rutten, Michael Doughty

HB: Brodie Smith, Sam Shaw, Brent Reilly

C: David Mackay, Patrick Dangerfield, Bernie Vince

HF: Richard Douglas, Shaun McKernan, Rory Sloane

F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Matt Wright

RUCK: Sam Jacobs, Scott Thompson, Nathan van Berlo

INT: Ricky Henderson, Chris Knights, Brodie Martin, Tim McIntyre

EMERG: Luke Brown, Tom Lynch, Richard Tambling

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