Doughty, Petrenko and Tippett return after short absences with injury. Symes, who has displayed strong SANFL form all season, will play his first game of the year. Defenders Johncock and Otten have also been included after stints in the local league.

Coach Brenton Sanderson said the match committee felt it was necessary to make six changes in spite of last week’s emphatic win over Greater Western Sydney.

“People will look back and try to think of the last team to make six changes after a 119-point win, but the ins are really good,” Sanderson told afc.com.au.

“It’s unfortunate the players going out have to miss, but we think the changes we’ve made give us a real good combination of experience and talent. Doughty and Johncock have played a lot of footy. ‘Otto’ hasn’t played since round five, but he’s played 45 career games and he gives the backline a bit of experience, with ‘Shawy’ going out.”

Have you watched the behind the scenes video of the Crows’ GWS trip?
Sanderson said Symes’ recall was reward for hard work and persistence.

“It’s a great story with Symesy. He hasn’t played any AFL this year and hasn’t done anything wrong,” he said.

“He’s just patiently waited for his opportunity and has been dominating at SANFL level. The best thing about Symesy is that he never grumbles or complains. Every week, I’d sit here and tell him, ‘you can’t play any better. It’s just a matter of waiting for the right opportunity to come along’.

“Now, he gets his opportunity.”

This week’s clash with the fifth-placed Eagles will mark in-form Crow Bernie Vince’s 100th game.

Watch Bernie’s highlights, see his career facts and stats and first 99 games in photos

Vince earned nine votes in the AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year award after collecting a season-high 29 possessions and three goals against GWS.

“Bernie hasn’t really missed a beat this year when he’s been playing, but of late he’s been in particularly red-hot form,” Sanderson said.

“He plays his role, uses the ball so well and is kicking goals. We’re really happy for him to get to 100. He’s a larrikin of the group. He’s had a great season and has become a very important player for us.”

The team is:

B: Brodie Smith, Ben Rutten, Michael Doughty
HB: Nathan van Berlo, Daniel Talia, Brent Reilly
C: David Mackay, Scott Thompson, Bernie Vince
HF: Richard Douglas, Kurt Tippett, Jared Petrenko
F: Jason Porplyzia, Josh Jenkins, Matt Wright
RUCKS: Sam Jacobs, Rory Sloane, Patrick Dangerfield
INT: Ian Callinan, Graham Johncock, Andy Otten, Brad Symes
EMERG: Luke Brown, Lewis Johnston, Chris Knights

IN: Michael Doughty, Graham Johncock, Andy Otten, Jared Petrenko, Brad Symes, Kurt Tippett

OUT: Henderson (ankle), Martin (hamstring), Shaw (eye), Brown (omitted), Knights (omitted), Lynch (omitted)

Adelaide hosts the West Coast Eagles at AAMI Stadium on Saturday at 1.40pm. Click here  for tickets and match day information.