The Crows will go into Sunday’s crucial clash with the Brisbane Lions as named.
Young midfielder Mitch Grigg will start as Adelaide’s substitute.
On Friday, Adelaide has recalled Tom Lynch, Jarryd Lyons and Charlie Cameron to its team.
Lynch returns after being left out of the Crows side that lost to West Coast. Lyons, who edged out fellow young onballer Matt Crouch in the race to replace injured star Scott Thompson, will play his first AFL game since Round 15. The inside midfielder is coming off a best-on-ground performance in the SANFL where he amassed 38 possessions, nine inside 50ms and two goals.
See all the Stats That Matter ahead of Sunday’s crunch match
Cameron, who made a successful comeback from a groin complaint in the SANFL last weekend, last played AFL in Round 12. The trio replaces injured pair Scott Thompson (hamstring) and Podsiadly (soreness) and small utility Rory Laird, who has been omitted. Laird, Matt Crouch and defender Sam Shaw are the emergencies.
Coach Brenton Sanderson said it was a close call between Lyons and Matt Crouch.
“Jarryd and Matt were both exceptional for our SANFL team last week. It’s a shame they are similar players vying for the same position because on form they could both be playing AFL,”
“Jarryd is just ahead at the moment. In the future, Matt’s going to be a star for us just like his brother Brad is. I know our fans are keen to see the brothers play together.
“It’s not far off … just not this week.”
Lynch and Cameron return to bolster the forward line, which will have a different look in the absence of Podsiadly.
“Lynchy went back to the SANFL last week with a great attitude and did what we asked him to. We know what he brings to the table and he deserves another opportunity with 'Pods' going out of the side,” Sanderson said.
“Charlie gives us more of what we need, with his speed and defensive pressure. He’s missed a bit of footy, but had a solid game in the SANFL last week and we can’t wait to see what he has to offer on a fast deck on Sunday.”
Read the AFL.com.au Preview of Adelaide’s clash with the Brisbane Lions
Sanderson said Thompson and Podsiadly would be assessed leading into next week’s clash with Richmond at Adelaide Oval.
“Unfortunately, ‘Thommo’ is going to be almost a week-to-week proposition for us,” he said.
“Even with an eight-day break, we just couldn’t get him in a position this week where we could be confident he could get through four quarters. He’ll train over the weekend and prepare to play against Richmond next week.
“It’s a combination of lots of things for ‘Pods’ this week. He got a whack in the back last week. He’s been carrying a sore elbow since the Collingwood game and also has a broken nose. He’s just a bit banged up.”
With Thompson and Podsiadly sidelined, the Crows will field one of their youngest teams of the season against the youthful Lions. Adelaide has nine players, Brad Crouch (21), Josh Jenkins (44), Luke Thompson (17), Luke Brown (42), Tom Lynch (36), Jarryd Lyons (18), Brodie Martin (31), Mitch Grigg (12) and Charlie Cameron (four), with fewer than 50 games of experience in its team.
The Lions, who will unveil their ninth debutant of the season on Sunday, have 11.
“I think Eddie Betts and Richard Douglas will be our two most experienced and ‘oldest’ players, if you call 27 old. We’re taking a young side up, but we’re taking a side we expect to play well and win,” Sanderson said.
The team is:
IN: Charlie Cameron, Tom Lynch, Jarryd Lyons
OUT: James Podsiadly (soreness), Scott Thompson (hamstring), Rory Laird (omitted)
B: Luke Brown, Daniel Talia, Luke Thompson
HB: Brodie Smith, Andy Otten, Matthew Jaensch
C: David Mackay, Brad Crouch, Ricky Henderson
HF: Richard Douglas, Josh Jenkins, Mitch Grigg
F: Matthew Wright, Taylor Walker, Eddie Betts
RUCKS: Sam Jacobs, Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane
INTERCHANGE: Tom Lynch, Jarryd Lyons, Brodie Martin, Charlie Cameron
