Lewis Johnston should play for North Adelaide against West Adelaide

NORTH Adelaide is confident the Crows won't be taking an unnecessary risk if they allow Lewis Johnston to play in this Sunday's SANFL preliminary final.

NORTH Adelaide is confident the Crows won't be taking an unnecessary risk if they allow Lewis Johnston to play in this Sunday's SANFL preliminary final against West Adelaide.

Some inside the West camp have been surprised the Crows haven't called an end to Johnston's season after he injured his ankle a week ago against Central.

But Roosters chief executive Greg Edwards said Johnston's injury was minor and expects him to play on Sunday.

"I think the Crows are doing the right thing by letting him play," said Edwards, suggesting it was an indication of goodwill as Adelaide prepares to enter a reserves team in the competition next year.

"Lewis sees it as his last opportunity to play for the North Adelaide Football Club for at least a while and he wants to make the most of it.

"He's got a sprained ankle. If it was a knee or a shoulder than you'd probably rethink everything but the nature of the injury gives him a chance."

Edwards expects Johnston - who was pulled out of the North line up which defeated the Eagles on Sunday - to take part in the Roosters' main training session at AAMI Stadium tomorrow night before being assessed later in the week.

Crows football operations manager Phil Harper said North deserved to have Johnston available because it had given him a place to play outside of the AFL this season.

"We think we've got a commitment to the SANFL clubs," Harper said. "If the player is fit and healthy ... we'll continue to honour that commitment."

West has copped a double blow, losing Aaron Fielke (shoulder) and Michael Still (hand) to injuries suffered in a 56 point second semi defeat against Norwood on the weekend.

Bloods coach Andrew Collins may opt for a straight swap for the returning Ryan Ferguson (concussion) and Tyson Slattery (finger) although he appeared ready to swing the axe on a few players after labelling the effort against the Redlegs as disgraceful.

Bloods defender Adam Hartlett had his report for misconduct against Alex Georgiou thrown out but was fined $750 for verbally abusing an umpire.

The Match Review Panel also assessed Eagles ruckman Craig Parry's bump on Patrick Boles but ruled he had no case to answer.

Norwood has five players - Mark Evans, Michael Newton, Orazio Fantasia, Josh Donohue and Craig Evans - with an outside chance of forcing their way in to the Redlegs line up for next weekend's Grand Final.