Ian Callinan has replaced David Mackay in the selected team to play Sydney this afternoon.
Mackay hasn’t quite recovered from a badly corked hip sustained in the loss to Fremantle last weekend. Callinan will play his first AFL match since Round Two. Forward Jason Porplyzia will start as Adelaide’s substitute.
On Thursday, the Crows recalled young midfielder Brad Crouch and versatile pair Ricky Henderson and Shaun McKernan.
Promising defender Luke Brown was ruled out through injury, while Jarryd Lyons and Brodie Martin were omitted. Coach Brenton Sanderson said Brown had been nursing a sore calf.
“Browny was a ‘test’ last week because he had a slight strain, high in his calf. He was able to play against Fremantle, but he got a corkie on that calf during the game,” Sanderson said.
“Browny’s been playing really well. He hasn’t missed a game, but he’s a young player and we don’t want to risk him. He’s not quite up to full speed this week, so the smart decision is not to play him.”
Crouch will play his first AFL game since injuring his hamstring at training in the lead-up to Adelaide’s clash with Carlton in Round Five.
“Crouchy was in really good form before he got injured,” Sanderson said.
“He’s had three games back with West. His first game for Westies was good. He had a bit of a stinker the second game, but he was sharp again last week and suits this game against Sydney.
“He’s a good, inside midfielder. We’re giving up a lot of experience to guys like Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack, but we’ve got to expose our young guys to the best midfielders in the AFL.
“It’s as tough as it gets for a midfielder, playing against the Swans.”
McKernan was a late omission from the team that lost to Fremantle in wet conditions last week. Sanderson said the ruckman/forward deserved an immediate recall.
“Shaun was stiff to miss out last week. He would’ve played if it wasn’t pouring with rain. It didn’t suit talls – Fremantle subbed their second ruckman before half-time,” he said.
“Shaun’s game against North Melbourne the week before was really good. Shane Mumford and Myke Pyke are two of the in-form ruckmen in the AFL. Sam Jacobs was good last week with 50 hit-outs, but McKernan gives us a second ruck option and also a target up forward.”
Henderson, who last played for the Club in Round Five, also adds flexibility to the Crows team.
“Hendo’s too good not to be playing for us and his form in the SANFL has been good,” Sanderson said.
“He gives us speed, a penetrating kick and can play in a variety of positions. He’s a classic ‘utility’ and that’s the way we’ve been playing, with lots of different players going through the forward line.”
Scott Thompson (corked thigh) and David Mackay (corked hip) have both been named, but still have to prove their fitness.
The team is:
B: Rory Laird, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten
HB: Brent Reilly, Daniel Talia, David Mackay
C: Bernie Vince, Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane
HF: Nathan van Berlo, Shaun McKernan, Jared Petrenko
F: Josh Jenkins, Sam Kerridge, Tom Lynch
RUCKS: Sam Jacobs, Richard Douglas, Scott Thompson
INTERCHANGE: Brad Crouch, Ricky Henderson, Jason Porplyzia, Brodie Smith
EMERG: Ian Callinan, Jarryd Lyons, Matthew Wright
IN: Brad Crouch, Ricky Henderson, Shaun McKernan
OUT: Luke Brown (calf), Jarryd Lyons (omit), Brodie Martin (omit)
Ticketing and match day information for Saturday’s game is available here
