Assistant coach Scott Camporeale says Adelaide’s NAB Challenge game against Carlton on Monday night will provide another valuable opportunity for the Club’s younger players to force their way into the team for Round One.
Draftees Matt Crouch, Riley Knight and Charlie Cameron have all been named in the 29-man squad to tackle the Blues at Etihad Stadium. The Crows have also included a host of players looking to cement their spots, including Sam Kerridge, Jarryd Lyons, Mitch Grigg, Brodie Martin, Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Lewis Johnston, Matthew Jaensch, Sam Shaw, Shaun McKernan and Kyle Hartigan. The team to play Carlton will be trimmed to 26 prior to the game, which starts at 7:10pm (AEDT).
Camporeale said there were still Round One spots up for grabs for players in good form.
“There are a couple of players that have popped up already. Brodie Martin played well against Port last week. He’s probably one we didn’t have in our early equations (for Round One) but he’s really put his hand up,” Camporeale said.
“Matt Crouch has come on and showed he’s ready to play AFL footy and rookie Charlie Cameron is another. We’ve got a few young guys pushing. We’re lucky we can pick 29 players in the squad at the moment, but it’s going to be pretty tough to skim seven guys off of that in a couple of weeks.
“It’s a good position to be in.”
The Crows have recalled experienced players Scott Thompson, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten and Jared Petrenko for the clash with Carlton.
Camporeale, who oversees the midfield at Adelaide, backed dual Club Champion Thompson to bounce back from a difficult 2013 season.
“I have no doubt he can (get back to his best). ‘Thommo’ was probably a little bit underdone fitness-wise last year. He had a couple of little niggles, which unfortunately you just can’t afford to have in AFL these days,” Camporeale said.
“He had that cleaned up over the break and we’ve controlled his training. He’s raring and ready to go. Thommo’s still got a lot to offer us as a midfield, a footy club and a leader on game day.”
Former Blue Eddie Betts has been left out of the squad after a dominant first game in Crows colours.
Betts starred with five goals against Port Adelaide last weekend. Camporeale said the Club was managing the classy forward’s workload heading into the premiership season.
“It’s just a load thing with Eddie. We know what he can do … and you saw that last week. We’d be silly to rush him,” he said.
“He played finals last year as well (as International Rules), so this decision was made even before the NAB Challenge draw came out. He’ll play in the trial against GWS.”
The Crows proved too good for an understrength Port Adelaide side last week, romping to a 60-point win. Camporeale said the Blues would be a good test for his team.
“We’re playing a quality opposition. Carlton have close to a full-strength side,” he said.
“We’ve picked a pretty strong side going into the game. We want to see a bit more improvement on last week’s game.”
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