Star forward Taylor Walker is a late withdrawal from the Crows team to play Gold Coast at AAMI Stadium this afternoon.
Walker has a sore hip and has been replaced in the side by Tom Lynch. Playing his first game since Round Nine, Matt Jaensch will start as the substitute.
The Suns will go in as named, with Piers Flanagan to wear the green vest.
On Thursday, Adelaide recalled Rory Sloane, but left Bernie Vince out of the 22 because of a knee injury.
Vince, who was substituted in the third quarter of the Crows’ win over Melbourne last weekend, is expected to be fit for the Club’s first final, against an opponent yet to be determined.
Walker has a sore hip and has been replaced in the side by Tom Lynch. Playing his first game since Round Nine, Matt Jaensch will start as the substitute.
The Suns will go in as named, with Piers Flanagan to wear the green vest.
On Thursday, Adelaide recalled Rory Sloane, but left Bernie Vince out of the 22 because of a knee injury.
Vince, who was substituted in the third quarter of the Crows’ win over Melbourne last weekend, is expected to be fit for the Club’s first final, against an opponent yet to be determined.
“Bernie’s injury isn’t serious. He’s just got a bit of swelling, which hasn’t gone down from the game against Melbourne,” coach Brenton Sanderson told afc.com.au.
“It’ll be a bit like Sloane last week, and he should only miss one game. We just want to settle it down and make sure he’s right for the first week of the finals.”
Sloane returns after a one-week absence because of an elbow complaint.
“Sloaney is jumping out of his skin. He’s almost got too much energy this week,” Sanderson said.
“He’s been bouncing around like a crazy man, so the week off last round wouldn’t have done him any harm. I think we’ll see a really good game from him against Gold Coast.”
Jaensch comes into the side at the expense of first-year defender Luke Brown, who has been omitted. Jaensch hasn’t played since the loss to North Melbourne in Round 13.
“It’s good for Jaenschy. He’s played nine games this year,” Sanderson said.
“We haven’t seen him for a while, but he’s been working hard on his game and his form has been pretty consistent. It’s good for him to come back into the side right on the eve of the finals. I’m sure we’ll see him play really well.”
Two Crows will make their return from injury in the SANFL this weekend.
Andy Otten (knee) will make a comeback with South Adelaide, while Ricky Henderson (ankle) will line up in the Panthers reserves team because his SANFL club, Central District, has a bye.
“We’re almost at full strength now (with the exception of Vince),” Sanderson said.
“It’s good to get Hendo and Otto back. Hopefully, we can get them into a bit of form and we’ll have a few selection headaches over the next few weeks I’m sure.”
Adelaide’s final minor-round match of the season starts at 1:40pm on Saturday.
The team is:
B: Sam Shaw, Ben Rutten, Michael Doughty
HB: Nathan van Berlo, Daniel Talia, Brent Reilly
C: David Mackay, Scott Thompson, Richard Douglas
HF: Matthew Wright, Taylor Walker, Jared Petrenko
F: Ian Callinan, Kurt Tippett, Jason Porplyzia
FOLLOW: Sam Jacobs, Rory Sloane, Patrick Dangerfield
INT: Matt Jaesnch, Graham Johncock, Aidan Riley, Brodie Smith
EMERG: Tom Lynch, Richard Tambling, Luke Thompson
IN: Matt Jaensch, Rory Sloane
OUT: Luke Brown (omitted), Bernie Vince (knee)
