Brodie Smith will return to the field for the first time in two months when he plays for the Eagles in the SANFL tonight.
Smith, one of Adelaide’s best performers in last year’s AFL final series, broke a collarbone in the opening week of the NAB Cup competition in February.
He has been named at half-back for the Eagles, who take on ladder leader Norwood at The Parade from 7.40pm.
Smith will be alongside Luke Thompson in defence and joined by Bernie Vince, who was dropped from Adelaide’s line-up. Mitch Grigg has been named on a wing for Norwood.
Upgraded Crows rookie Rory Laird will play for West Adelaide tonight against North Adelaide, if not required by the Crows. Lewis Johnston will be at centre half forward for North.
Three Crows will return to Sturt’s side for Saturday’s clash with South Adelaide at Unley.
Angus Graham, Aidan Riley and Brodie Martin join Tim McIntyre, Rory Atkins and Richard Tambling in the Sturt team while Kyle Hartigan and Ben Dowdell are in the South side.
Central District will again have Ian Callinan in its midfield on Saturday but Glenelg is waiting to see if Jarryd Lyons, Shaun McKernan and Tom Lynch are released by the Crows.
Nick Joyce and Cam Ellis-Yolmen have been named in the reserves for the Eagles and rookie Tim Klaosen will play for Glenelg’s reserves.
