Promising midfielder Matt Crouch has withdrawn from the Crows team to play Greater Western Sydney at Blacktown on Friday because of illness.
Crouch travelled to Sydney and was set to play his third game of the pre-season, but became ill overnight and was ruled out of the match by Club medical staff. The 2013 draftee will not be replaced in the team, with Adelaide opting to play 23 players instead of 24.
Jared Petrenko, Sam Kerridge and Cam Ellis-Yolmen are the other players left out of the squad of 27 named on Thursday. The trio will line up in Adelaide's SANFL trial against Sturt at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.
As previously announced, Tom Lynch and Eddie Betts have been recalled to the Adelaide side.
The Crows’ 2013 leading goalkicker, Lynch will play his first game of the year after recovering from post-season foot surgery. Betts, who kicked five goals in his first outing as a Crow, was rested in the Club’s second NAB Challenge game against former team Carlton.
Coach Brenton Sanderson said the forward line for Round One was starting to take shape.
“It’s fantastic to have ‘Lynchy’ back in the team. He showed last year just how important he is to our team and, in particular, our forward structure,” Sanderson said.
“Lynchy has been very diligent in his rehabilitation. He’ll get a good run on Friday and that will put him in right in the frame for Round One. I’m sure our fans are excited to see Eddie in action again too.”
Brad Crouch and Brent Reilly are also set to return to the field in Adelaide’s SANFL trial game on Saturday. Reilly is on the comeback from a shoulder reconstruction. Last month, the rebounding defender had a minor follow-up procedure to remove scar tissue from his shoulder, which delayed his return by a few weeks, but he’s since returned to full training.
Crouch, who was on a modified program pre-Christmas because of a sore Achilles, is also nearing full fitness. “‘Crouchy’ and ‘Radar’ weren’t quite ready to play AFL this week, so we won’t rush them. They’re both key players for us and we need them to be fit and firing for the whole season,” Sanderson said.
“Our SANFL trial match is the perfect opportunity for both guys to get some minutes into their legs in the heat of a game. We can manage their workloads and help give them the individual preparation they need leading into the start of the season.”
Young defender Rory Laird has a tight adductor and won’t play this weekend, but will be available for selection in Round One.
IN: Eddie Betts, Tom Lynch
OUT: Matt Crouch (illness), Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Kyle Hartigan, Sam Kerridge, Jared Petrenko
The team is:
1. James Podsiadly
4. Josh Jenkins
5. Scott Thompson
9. Rory Sloane (c)
10. Matthew Jaensch
11. Matthew Wright
12. Daniel Talia
14. David Mackay
16. Luke Brown
18. Eddie Betts
22. Andy Otten
24. Sam Jacobs
25. Ben Rutten
26. Richard Douglas
27. Tom Lynch
31. Jarryd Lyons
32. Patrick Dangerfield (c)
33. Brodie Smith
34. Sam Shaw
35. Shaun McKernan
36. Brodie Martin
38. Mitch Grigg
40. Jason Porplyzia
Saturday’s SANFL trial game coincides with the Adelaide Football Club’s annual Members Day. Non-members are also encouraged to attend and join on the day. Find out more about 2014 membership and help us break our all-time membership record
