Crows coach Brenton Sanderson says veteran defender Ben Rutten still has plenty to offer despite narrowly missing out on selection for Saturday’s clash with Melbourne.

After sitting out two matches with a knee injury, the 2005 All-Australian defender was named as an emergency for Adelaide’s match against the Demons. Instead, Rutten will regain match fitness in the Club’s State League game in Clare on Sunday.

Sanderson said Rutten was still in Adelaide’s first-choice team at his best.

“Truck’s probably the best key-position defender this Club has ever had,” Sanderson said.

“His reputation and the way he’s played over his career means he’s a walk-up start when he’s fit and firing.”

Sanderson said Rutten was a victim of circumstance at selection.

“He’s had some knee issues from the pre-season trial against GWS. We feel like we’re getting on top of that now, but we feel he just needs a State League game to get back the sharpness,” he said.

“We’ve also got the luxury of three key defenders, who are playing well in Daniel Talia, Kyle Hartigan and Sam Shaw.

“Truck at his best is in our best 22. He’s still got some good footy ahead to play for us and he’s still a really important player for us this season.”

Rutten will line up alongside Taylor Walker in the Club’s SANFL side for his first match in the local competition in almost a decade.

Sanderson said Sunday’s fixture against the Port Adelaide Magpies would be a test for the SANFL Crows.

“This will be a tough game for our State League side,” Sanderson said.

“They’re playing against a really good opposition. Tex, along with a few other guys who have missed out on AFL selection, need to go up to Clare and play well.”

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