Crows ruck Rhiannon Metcalfe will return to the football field on Friday night when she plays a SANFLW match with Woodville-West Torrens.
It will be Metcalfe’s first game since she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in Adelaide’s pre-season trial match against Fremantle in January, 2019.
Prior to that, she played every game for the Crows in the first two seasons, leading their ruck division.
Metcalfe will play for the Eagles for the first time when they take on Norwood at 7.45pm at Hisense Stadium (Richmond Oval).
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Adelaide AFLW coach Matthew Clarke said it was exciting to see the 28-year-old pull on the boots again.
“Rhi gets her chance this week so we are really excited and looking forward to seeing how she goes,” Clarke said.
“The injuries have been a frustration, but they’re starting to come back.”
Metcalfe will play a full game, and Clarke said if she gets through the match it will put her in the frame for selection in Round Four.
When she is available for the AFLW side, it will cause a selection headache for Clarke with four rucks – Metcalfe, Jessica Foley, Caitlin Gould and Montana McKinnon – vying for the spot.
“Montana McKinnon played an outstanding game in the SANFLW, took seven or eight contested marks and that was really impressive,” Clarke said.
“Having said that, Caitlin did pretty well in the ruck last week.
“It’s a good situation to be in.”
Adelaide will take on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday evening.
The game will be broadcast live in Adelaide on 7mate from 4.30pm.
