Adelaide’s state league side will be bolstered by the return of left footers Rory Atkins and Mitch Grigg in the Club’s final SANFL match of the season against Norwood at The Parade.
Atkins, who turned 20 last month, was on standby for Adelaide’s AFL clash with Richmond last weekend following a string of impressive SANFL performances.
The skilful wingman has been one of Adelaide’s most consistent contributors in the second half of the SANFL season which has seen him edge closer towards an AFL debut.
Grigg is set for his first appearance with the SANFL Crows in five weeks. The smooth-moving 21-year-old has been named in the centre and will lead Adelaide’s midfield brigade against the flag-fancied Redlegs.
Brent Reilly and Sam Kerridge join Grigg on the AFL emergencies list should any late changes be required for the Club’s maiden trip to Hobart.
A hamstring strain has sidelined Shaun McKernan, while defenders Rory Laird and Ben Rutten have both been promoted to the senior side.
Goalsneak Gene Robinson and SANFL newcomer Myles Warmington have been omitted.
With finals out of reach, Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie said the players were hoping to finish the season on a winning note.
“Norwood are a quality side, so it’s important we bring our best football with us to The Parade on Saturday,” Younie told afc.com.au.
“A lot of the guys were pretty disappointed to drop that game to Sturt last week. But we’ve shown in the last half of the season that we can match it with the top teams.
“This week gives us another great opportunity for a our young players to show what they’ve learnt this year.”
Crows ticketed members receive free entry into Saturday’s twilight clash, with the opening bounce scheduled for 4.40pm. The match will also be broadcast live on 7TWO.
The game will be the final minor round clash of the SANFL season with four other games to be played earlier in the afternoon.
A potential finals berth will be the prize for Central District and North Adelaide at Prospect Oval, while the Eagles will also aim to lock away a spot in the five when they welcome West Adelaide to Woodville.
Port Magpies will go in hot favourites to down Glenelg at The Bay, but the Panthers must down the Double Blues at Noarlunga to keep South in the race for the double chance.
The SANFL team is:
B: Jake Kelly, Sam Siggins, Will Paynter
HB: Brent Reilly, Lewis Johnston, Rory Atkins
C: Riley Knight, Mitch Grigg, James Battersby
HF: Alex Spina, Jared Petrenko, Ian Callinan (c)
F: Sam Kerridge, Jack Osborn, Jason Porplyzia
R: Angus Graham, Matt Crouch, Cam Ellis-Yolmen
Interchange (from): Tyson Davis-Neale, Sam Tharaldsen, Addison Burns
In: Grigg, Atkins, Burns, Davis-Neale, Tharaldsen
Out: McKernan (hamstring), Laird, Rutten (AFL), Robinson, Warmington
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