Draftee Matt Crouch will make his AFL debut against Sydney at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Scott Thompson, Rory Laird and Mitch Grigg will also start on the interchange. Forward Gary Rohan will start as the sub for the Swans, who are also unchanged,
Recruited with pick No.23 in last year’s National Draft, Crouch impressed in his first pre-season at Adelaide, and looked comfortable in his two NAB Challenge games.
The inside midfielder averaged 37 disposals (16 contested), seven clearances and five tackles in seven TAC Cup games in 2013. The left-footer also represented Victoria Country at the Under-18 National Championships, and travelled to Europe as part of the AIS-AFL Academy squad. He will become the 198th player to represent the Adelaide Football Club in an official game.
Coach Brenton Sanderson said Crouch, who collected 29 possessions in Adelaide’s SANFL trial last weekend, was ready to play at AFL level.
“Matt has been exceptional since coming to our Club,” Sanderson said.
“He showed some really good signs in the NAB Challenge and was probably a bit unlucky to miss out on AFL selection in Round One. Matt’s a strong-bodied midfielder, who just knows how to find the footy. We think he’ll suit the contested-style of game against Sydney.
“It’s a shame for the Crouch family and for our team that Matt comes in at the expense of his brother, Brad, who is injured, but it won’t be too long before we see those two playing together.”
Crouch, 18, is one of five changes to the team to play the Swans.
Defenders Rory Laird and Kyle Hartigan, and forwards Jared Petrenko and Josh Jenkins will all play their first games of the season on Saturday.
“Lairdy was a really important player for us last season. He missed a bit of footy through injury over the pre-season, but he’s had two good games in the SANFL and is ready to play,” Sanderson said.
“Laird and Petrenko add that real competitive edge. Jenkins comes in for McKernan and gives us a different look in our forward line and Kyle has been in good form and deserves his opportunity.”
Brad Crouch will miss six weeks with a fractured fibula. McKernan was unavailable for selection after suffering a delayed concussion in Showdown XXXVI.
Jason Porplyzia, Lewis Johnston and Sam Shaw have been omitted. Porplyzia, Shaw and Brodie Martin are the emergencies and will play in the Club’s SANFL season-opener against North Adelaide on Sunday if not required by the Crows.
IN: Matt Crouch (debut), Kyle Hartigan, Josh Jenkins, Rory Laird, Jared Petrenko
OUT: Brad Crouch (leg), Shaun McKernan (concussion), Lewis Johnston (omit), Jason Porplyzia (omit), Sam Shaw (omit)
