A host of fresh faces will be on show in Adelaide’s first SANFL trial match against Sturt on Saturday.

 AFL listed rookies James Battersby, Jake Kelly and Alex Spina, 2013 draftee Riley Knight and nine development squad members will play their first games in Crows colours, alongside experienced defender Brent Reilly and 2013 AFL Rising Star runner-up Brad Crouch. 

Battersby, the Crows’ youngest listed player, will line up against his former Sturt teammates in the SANFL side’s inaugural outing. Charlie Cameron, who featured in the Crows’ opening NAB Challenge victory over Port Adelaide, will join his fellow rookie teammates in the trial, which will kick off at 10am on Saturday at AAMI Stadium. 

Tall defender Sam Siggins and ruck duo Jack Osborn and Angus Graham are the other Crows who will make their first appearances for the Club this season.

 Star young midfielder Brad Crouch will line up for his first competitive hit out of 2014 after an Achilles complaint delayed his pre-season progress, while Reilly is also set to return to the field for the first time since dislocating his shoulder in Round 14 last year.

 Nine members of Adelaide’s State League development squad have been selected in the side, including dangerous small forward Gene Robinson, athletic Encounter Bay product Tyson Davis-Neale, Adelaide University’s Will Paynter and Mt Barker Mail Medallist Tom Hughes.

 Ian Callinan will lead the team for the first time as State League captain. 

Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie said he was eager to see how his young charges stand up in the heat of battle. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to see our young development squad players in action against an opposition,” Younie said. “But we are also keen to see our players from the AFL squad implement some of the things that we’ve been working on over the summer. 

“It’s a great opportunity for all of them.” 

The trial match will kick off from 10am on Saturday at AAMI Stadium, with free entry to the public as part of the Club’s Members Day festivities.

 Full Squad 43. James Battersby* 57. Addison Burns** 42. Charlie Cameron* 2. Brad Crouch 37. Ian Callinan (c) 49. Tyson Davis-Neale** 53. Jye DeZylva** 28. Cameron Ellis-Yolmen 15. Angus Graham 63: Tom Hughes** 8. Lewis Johnston 47. Jake Kelly* 17. Sam Kerridge 39. Riley Knight 59. Michael O’Malley** 30. Jack Osborn* 51. Will Paynter** 23. Jared Petrenko 61. Sam Pfeiffer** 3. Brent Reilly 52. Gene Robinson** 20. Sam Siggins 46. Alex Spina* 6. Luke Thompson 54. Matthew Thompson** * Denotes rookie ** Denotes development squad player