The Crows will go into Saturday’s game against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval as named.
Young midfielder Mitch Grigg will start as the substitute. Melbourne is also unchanged, with draftee Christian Salem the sub.
As announced on Thursdau night, Taylor Walker will spend a second week in the SANFL in his comeback from a knee injury. Walker impressed in his first game back against Glenelg last Friday, prompting coach Brenton Sanderson to consider recalling the 24-year-old forward to the AFL team this weekend.
However, Sanderson said the Club had decided to stick to its original plan and give Walker another week to build match fitness in the State League.
“The plan was always to give ‘Tex’ at least two weeks in the SANFL. He looked so good last week that there was the temptation to bring him back after one game,” Sanderson said.
“In the end, we decided it would be best for Tex from a physical performance perspective to have another run in the State League. Tex was happy with that. The coaches were happy and the physical performance team were too.
“It’ll be another good step for Tex, playing against AFL players and hardened SANFL players in the Port Magpies side. Hopefully, that will help prepare him for a return to AFL in the coming weeks.”
The AFL emergencies are Andy Otten, Brodie Martin and Ben Rutten, who has overcome knee soreness. All three will line up in Adelaide’s SANFL Showdown against Port Magpies in Clare on Sunday if not required by the AFL team.
Sanderson said it was a sign of strength that Rutten hadn’t forced his way straight back in.
“We’ve seen some real development from Kyle Hartigan and Sam Shaw in our key defensive posts, and Daniel Talia is in really good form,” Sanderson said.
“Truck’s missed a couple of weeks with a sore knee. He needs a run and he’ll get that in the State League this weekend. It’s disappointing for Truck not to be in the AFL team, but he’s too good a player to be out of the side for too long.”
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