Josh Thewlis and Brad Crabb likely to be recalled for South Adelaide against North Adelaide

SOUTH Adelaide will add experience to its backline with Josh Thewlis and Brad Crabb expected to return to the line-up to take on North Adelaide.

SOUTH Adelaide will add plenty of experience to its backline with Josh Thewlis and Brad Crabb expected to return to the line-up to take on North Adelaide at Noarlunga on Saturday.

Thewlis missed the loss to Central District because of a virus while Crabb fronted in the reserves.
The defence will also regain long-kicking Tom Fields if he negotiated Friday night’s light workout.

Fields, often given the kick-in role with his penetrating kick, was rested from the Bulldogs contest due to groin soreness but trained fully on Wednesday night.

“Fields has been important to us and he has had a great year,’’ Panthers coach Brad Gotch said. “He was a bit sore in the groin so we rested him for a week before the bye to give him a good break.’’

Fifth-placed Panthers, a game above the Roosters, can take a significant step towards a finals berth with a repeat of their round two win at Prospect.

Gotch said the focus was on producing a four-quarter effort, getting back to good structures and improving the defensive work.

As for the Roosters’ decision to omit key forward Luke Mitchell, Gotch said he was not totally surprised.

“(Alex) Barns has been playing well in reserves for North,’’ Gotch said. “I have the same issue here and if they are playing well in the reserves you have got to play them at some stage.’’

The Roosters also dropped midfielder Jesse O’Brien and included former Port Adelaide on-baller Daniel Kulikowski for his first game with the club.

Kulikowski is a terrific acquisition for the Roosters and he will give them plenty of bite around the packs.