Adelaide has called on experienced pair Rory Sloane and Andy Otten for Friday night’s Preliminary Final against Geelong.

Sloane, who has recovered from surgery to remove his appendix, returns after missing Adelaide’s Qualifying Final win over Greater Western Sydney.

A mainstay in the team for much of the season, Otten will play his first senior game since Round 19. It will be the swingman’s first final since the 2012 Preliminary Final loss to Hawthorn at the MCG.

All Australian defender Brodie Smith (knee) and x-factor forward Mitch McGovern (hamstring) have been left out of the Crows side that beat GWS a fortnight ago.

Midfielder Wayne Milera Junior, defender Alex Keath and ruckman Reilly O’Brien are the emergencies.

On Thursday morning, coach Don Pyke said McGovern had made progress but not enough to warrant selection in the cut-throat final at Adelaide Oval.

“It was a bridge too far for tomorrow night, but we remain hopeful (for next week) should we progress and we’ll give him every chance,” Pyke said.

The last-remaining tickets for Friday night’s Preliminary Final sold out on Thursday afternoon.

The record crowd for an AFL game at Adelaide Oval is 53,698 for the Round Three Showdown this year.

Gates open at 5:15pm (ACST) on Friday night ahead of the opening bounce at 7:20pm.

Check out the Game Day Guide

Crows supporters will have an opportunity to farewell retiring champion Scott Thompson at the start of the half-time break. Thompson will walk a lap of the oval to coincide with Adelaide’s last home game of the season.

Fans are encouraged to arrive at Adelaide Oval early to allow for additional security checks. Patrons are also asked to limit the number of bags entering the venue.

Adelaide and Geelong have only met once before in a final – the 1997 Semi-Final at Football Park.

See more Stats that Matter

On Friday night, Crows All Australian defender Rory Laird will play his 100th game. Laird will become the eighth Crow to play 100 games for the Club after starting his career on the rookie list.

The team is:
IN – Rory Sloane, Andy Otten
OUT – Brodie Smith (knee), Mitch McGovern (hamstring)