Adelaide has played safe with Robert Shirley and left the tagger out of Showdown XXII.
The Crows opted not to test Shirley’s broken hand at training on Friday morning, believing he needed another week to give his undisplaced break more time to start healing.
Adelaide also needed to replace defender Graham Johncock, who could miss up to four weeks with an ankle strain.
But exciting forward Brett Burton, who missed Sunday’s win over the Western Bulldogs to rest a sore knee, is ready to return. Young midfielder/forward Jason Porplyzia has also been recalled for his first AFL game of the 2007 season. He was one of West Adelaide’s best players in the SANFL’s opening round last weekend.
The Crows train at Max Basheer Reserve from 9am on Friday.
B: Michael Doughty, Ben Rutten, Nathan BassettHB: Andrew McLeod, Scott Stevens, Jason TorneyC: Chris Knights, Simon Goodwin, Nathan van BerloHF: Brett Burton, Nathan Bock, Brent ReillyF: Matthew Bode, Scott Welsh, Ian Perrie1R: Ben Hudson, Tyson Edwards, Scott ThompsonInter: Jonathon Griffin, Richard Douglas, Martin Mattner, Jason PorplyziaEmerg: Kris Massie, Bernie Vince, John HingeIn: Burton, PorplyziaOut: Johncock (ankle), Shirley (hand)
