The Crows have made four changes to the team to play Richmond, recalling David Mackay, Luke Brown, Matthew Wright and Matthew Jaensch.
Mackay (corked hip) and Brown (calf) return after a week on the sidelines with minor injuries. Wright, who last played for Adelaide in Round Eight, will line up in his 50th AFL game while Jaensch earns a call-up after a strong month of SANFL form.
Jared Petrenko (AC joint sprain) will miss the clash with Richmond because of injury. Experienced defender Brent Reilly and young midfielders Brad Crouch and Sam Kerridge have been omitted.
Coach Brenton Sanderson said Mackay and Brown warranted immediate recalls.
“It’s good to have Mackay and Brown back from injury because they’ve been good players for us,” Sanderson said.
“Matty Wright adds a bit more run and experience to the midfield, and Matty Jaensch played very well for Sturt and deserves his opportunity.”
Reilly has missed only one game in the past three-and-a-half seasons. The 29-year-old enjoyed a breakout season in 2012, but has so far been unable to recapture top form.
“Radar (Reilly) has been below his best. Everyone can play a bad game or two, but he’s had a few too many bad ones for our liking and he accepts he’s not at his best,” Sanderson said.
“He’ll have a weekend off and then play for Sturt in our bye weekend and try to get back into form. It’s a shame because he’s one of our most important players.
“He was in the best 40 players in the country (All Australian squad) last year, but his form’s dipped a bit. We need him back in form.”
Sanderson said Kerridge, the Round Nine Rising Star nominee, was still adapting to the immense physical demands of AFL football.
“Sam kicked six goals against North Melbourne in Round Nine, but has looked flat since then,” he said.
“He’s played eight straight games and it’s just starting to take its toll on Sam as a young player. His form has dropped a bit and he’s been lacking run, so he won’t play in the SANFL this weekend either.
“He’ll play for Sturt the following week with Brent Reilly.”
In his first AFL game back from a hamstring strain, Crouch also struggled against Sydney.
“Crouchy is another player, who just didn’t have any run in his legs last week. West Adelaide has the bye this week, so we’ll look for ways to sharpen him up on the track,” Sanderson said.
Crouch, Jarryd Lyons and veteran Graham Johncock are the emergencies.
Sanderson said Johncock, who was among the Port Magpies best players last weekend, was on the verge of an AFL recall.
“Graham is getting back to his best. He’s starting to improve his fitness, run better and get more involved in games. He’s not just kicking goals; he’s also getting more of the footy,” he said.
“He’s very close to selection. We need him back at his best for the second half of the year and he took a big step towards that last weekend.
“Aidan Riley and Richard Tambling are also close, and Mitch Grigg is starting to put his name up in lights too. It’s important the players in the SANFL continue to put pressure on the guys in the team.”
The team is:
B: Rory Laird, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten
HB: David Mackay, Daniel Talia, Brodie Smith
C: Nathan van Berlo, Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane
HF: Tom Lynch, Josh Jenkins, Bernie Vince
F: Jason Porplyzia, Shaun McKernan, Ian Callinan
RUCKS: Sam Jacobs, Scott Thompson, Richard Douglas
INT: Luke Brown, Ricky Henderson, Matthew Jaensch, Matthew Wright
EMERGENCIES: Brad Crouch, Graham Johncock, Jarryd Lyons
IN: Luke Brown, Matthew Jaensch, David Mackay, Matthew Wright
OUT: Brad Crouch (omit), Sam Kerridge (omit), Jared Petrenko (shoulder), Brent Reilly (omit)
