Adelaide is set to introduce two more development squad players for Saturday night’s SANFL clash with West Adelaide at Richmond Oval.
Former South Adelaide defender Tom Carroll and Hills Football League Mail Medallist Tom Hughes, from Mt Barker, have been named in the Crows’ squad of 23.
Although the AFL side has a bye this weekend, Adelaide’s SANFL selection has been complicated by the five-day gap between Saturday night’s game and the Thursday night AFL clash with Collingwood at Adelaide Oval.
SANFL captain Ian Callinan (hamstring) and Jason Porplyzia (back) are still unavailable and Taylor Walker’s two-game comeback stint at SANFL level is over. Richard Douglas has served his two-match AFL suspension but also was kept out to allow him to train with the AFL squad on Monday.
Adelaide University’s Will Paynter, who played the opening game of the season with the Crows, returns after recovering from a groin strain.
Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie knew there could be some selection issues this round because of the five-day break and the need to keep some extra players in the AFL program for the Collingwood game.
“But that’s fine, we will give an opportunity to a couple more of our development players and I know they are keen to play their roles,” he said.
“Westies played really well to win their first game for the season last weekend so it’s going to be a big challenge for our young group.”
The game kicks off at 6.30pm at Richmond Oval with free entry for all Crows ticketed members. Radio station 5PRH will broadcast the game.
In the other round six SANFL games, Central District hosts North Adelaide on Saturday afternoon, South Adelaide is at home under lights on Saturday night against Norwood; and on Sunday, the Eagles and Glenelg clash at Woodville while Port takes on Sturt at Alberton.
Crows SANFL squad:
B: Ben Rutten, Luke Thompson, Sam Siggins
HB: Brodie Martin, Andy Otten, Jake Kelly
C: Riley Knight, Jarryd Lyons, Rory Atkins
HF: Alex Spina, Shaun McKernan, Tyson Davis-Neale
F: Charlie Cameron, Lewis Johnston, Gene Robinson
R: Angus Graham, Cam Ellis-Yolmen, James Battersby
I/c (from): Will Paynter, Tom Carroll, Michael O’Malley, Matt Thompson, Tom Hughes
Out of 21: Taylor Walker
In to 23: Paynter, Carroll, Hughes
