Jake Lever and Scott Thompson have made successful returns from injury in Saturday’s SANFL trial against Woodville-West Torrens at Football Park.
It was the duo’s first outing of the year with Lever (hamstring) and Thompson (shoulder) cleared to compete after pre-season injury concerns.
Both men played all four quarters and emerged from the match unscathed.
Utility Jonathon Beech made an impressive return from a calf complaint, collecting 12 disposals and three marks, before sitting out the final term as part of his management. First-year draftee Matthew Signorello, who played his second game since a shoulder reconstruction, was also rested at the three-quarter time break.
Young onballer Dean Gore worked hard in his comeback from a concussion suffered late in Adelaide’s second JLT Community Series clash against former club Geelong.
But Crows SANFL co-captain Alex Keath suffered another setback in just his second game back from a groin complaint. The key-position Crow hobbled to the bench with a right hamstring injury late in the opening term and took no further part in the contest.
Scott Thompson in action for the SANFL Crows at Football Park on Saturday
Without a disposal in the opening quarter, Lever improved steadily as the match went on.
The 21-year-old showed off his trademark sidestep to kick a classy goal in the second quarter and competed aggressively in his aerial contests. He finished the trial with 19 possessions, seven marks, and three rebound 50ms alongside his goal.
Thompson, 34, rotated between half-back and the midfield and was one of the most vocal players on the park, registering 14 possessions and five tackles.
Untried left-footer Harrison Wigg gathered a team-high 28 possessions, five clearances and four rebound 50ms as he continues to pursue an AFL debut.
Hugh Greenwood also enforced himself at stoppages to finish with 24 disposals and a game-high nine clearances to his name.
Father-son rookie Ben Jarman showed glimpses of his class across half-forward and on a wing, while Victorian recruit Lachlan Murphy showed great composure and set up play regularly from a back pocket.
The result was beyond Adelaide early as Woodville-West Torrens slammed on seven goals to none in the opening term to build a 54-point lead by half-time.
The match was far more competitive after the main break, but the Eagles continued to add to their lead and ran out comfortable 83-point winners.
Adelaide plays its final SANFL trial against Norwood on Friday, March 31 at Coopers Stadium from 6.30pm.
ADELAIDE 0.2 3.3 4.3 5.4 (34)
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS 7.1 12.3 16.6 18.9 (117)
Crows Goals: Jarman, Lever, Dear, Wittwer, Himmelberg
Crows Best: Wigg, Greenwood, Murphy, Lever, Jarman, Hill, Thompson
Injuries: Keath (hamstring)
