Adelaide Crows select Bryce Gibbs in rookie draft, Jackson Hately in pre-season draft

Adelaide dropped a bombshell with the first pick of the rookie draft. But the selection of Bryce Gibbs isn’t everything it seems.

Bryce Gibbs is back on the Crows’ list – temporarily as a rookie for administrative purposes.

Football fans may have been shocked to see Adelaide select the 268-game midfielder with the first pick in Thursday’s rookie draft but he is not coming out of retirement, rather it is required under AFL rules because the Crows are paying a portion of the 31-year-old’s salary next season.

Gibbs, who has signed with SANFL club South Adelaide, will become an inactive player in the new year, allowing Adelaide to replace him during the supplementary selection period.

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Bryce Gibbs is chaired off after his last AFL game.

The Crows plan to have up to two players train with them over summer and will choose one as a rookie before the season.

Adelaide recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie said Gibbs’ rookie-listing “looks awkward and interesting but there’s nothing in it”.

“It’s purely from an administrative and TPP (Total Player Payments) point of view,” Ogilvie said.

“Bryce is off to the Panthers in his new job and we’re pleased for him.”

Ogilvie said the club would target a particular type of player but would not reveal who was in the mix.

“We’ve got a player who’s already committed to come over and train, so we’ll work through the Christmas period then he’ll be in in the new year and he’ll be made aware at the time,” he said.

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Jackson Hately is finally a Crow. Picture: Getty Images

“It was always our plan to keep one (list) spot open.”

A day after selecting five players in the national draft, Adelaide kicked off Thursday’s proceedings by officially listing ex-GWS midfielder Jackson Hately with the sole selection in the pre-season pool.

The Crows and Giants could not agree on a deal for the Central District product during last month’s trade period, ensuring he would get to West Lakes for nothing.

On Wednesday night, Adelaide also signed Next Generation Academy defender James Borlase and speedster Tariek Newchurch after no clubs bid on them in the national draft.

James Borlase has been signed by the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed

Egypt-born Borlase – the son of Port Adelaide premiership captain Darryl Borlase and ex-Australian netball star Jenny Borlase – played three league matches for Sturt this year and was best afield in the All-Schools Cup grand final for Prince Alfred College in September.

Port Augusta-raised Newchurch spent the season with North Adelaide’s under-18s and Henley High.

“We knew there was risk they could get picked in the national draft,” Ogilvie said.

“When they get to the club, they’re on equal footing – it doesn’t matter if you’re Riley (Thilthorpe) at pick two or James and Tariek at pick 102.

“We’re pleased to get them through.

“Hately at no cost with those two boys is a bit of a win for us.”