Adelaide hands pre-season club debuts to Keays, Frampton and Crocker as McAdam tipped to shine
Adelaide will have five players on debut in Saturday’s Marsh Series game against Melbourne, including three recruited from other AFL clubs.
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New Crow Ben Keays has fired a warning shot at his midfield teammates while lavishing praise on talented but enigmatic forward Shane McAdam as the Crows prepare to begin life under new coach Matthew Nicks.
Former Lion Keys – selected at last year’s rookie draft – said he was not at Adelaide purely for depth purposes and wanted to cement a spot in the club’s best 22.
“That’s a fight I’m up for,’’ he said.
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One of three new mature-age recruits, along with former Port Adelaide tall Billy Frampton and ex-Collingwood utility Ben Crocker, the Crows will unveil in their Marsh Community Series opener against Melbourne at Casey Fields on Saturday, Keays said Nicks had challenged him to not only become a regular player but also an important on-field leader.
“That absolutely is my goal, to get a spot in the best 22,’’ said the 22-year-old, who played 30 games in four seasons with Brisbane.
“Obviously being delisted is deflating but to be picked up again by this club was a massive refresher and confidence booster.
“I know I’ve got a long way to go, still a lot to improve on and there are so many good players here, especially in the midfield, but I am up for the fight.
“Nicksy’s big on team first, he’s probably challenged the whole team around this, but he also wants me to be a leader.
“We’ve got a lot of young players coming in, I’ve come in from a different club with a bit of experience, so that’s been something he's got in my ear about for our match simulation games, to make sure I’m a leader, set up stoppages, use my voice.’’
Keays revealed he had improved his strength and running ability since arriving at Adelaide.
While many eyes will be on him, Frampton and Crocker against the Demons, Keays said fans should be excited by classy second-year forward McAdam, who had impressed him at training over summer.
McAdam, 24, will play his first official game for the Crows against Melbourne, along with promising 20-year-old key defender Jordon Butts and exciting second-year forward/midfielder Ned McHenry.
Adelaide has 41 of its 43 listed players fit, with only Tom Doedee (knee) and Riley Knight (Achilles) sidelined.
Former captain Taylor Walker and Paul Seedsman will miss Saturday’s clash to attend weddings.
All-Australian defender Brodie Smith has been given the week off to prepare for next Friday’s State of Origin Bushfire Relief game. Walker also will play in that match in Melbourne.
Emerging key talls Darcy Fogarty and last year’s top draft pick Fischer McAsey are being managed, with both expected to play in the under-23 trial against Port Adelaide.
Keays, meanwhile, said he was excited by Sturt product McAdam, who played 14 games for the Crows’ SANFL side last season after suffering a calf injury in the pre-season.
“I didn’t really know anything about Shane coming here but what’s stood out to me with him is that he’s just got footy smarts, he’s been playing forward and he just shows up in the right spots,’’ Keays said.
“To see him up close is fantastic and the last trial game we played was the best I’ve seen him play. He’s a weapon up forward.”
Keays said Adelaide would unveil a new defensive game plan against the Demons.
“We’ve worked a lot on our defence and you’ll see how it plays out,” he said.
“We’ve been focusing a lot on our whole team defence, defending as one, everyone playing their role.
“It will be good to get out there and give it a go against real opposition.”
TEAMS
CROWS
Backs: L.Brown 16 D.Talia 12 R.Laird 29
Half Backs: W.Milera 30 J.Butts 41 B.Gibbs 6
Centreline: M.Poholke 10 M.Crouch 5 B.Keays 28
Half Forwards: S.McAdam 23 B.Davis 40 T.Lynch 27
Forwards: T.Stengle 18 E.Himmelberg 34 L.Murphy 4
Followers: R.O’Brien 43 B.Crouch 2 C.Jones 1
Interchange: J.Kelly 8 R.Sloane - C 9 D.Mackay 14
B.Crocker 20 R.Atkins 21 B.Frampton 22
P.Wilson 31 N.McHenry 25
Emergencies: W.Hamill 17 F.McAsey 35 L.Sholl 38
K.Hartigan 15
DEMONS
Backs: N.Jetta 39 O.McDonald 28 C.Salem 3
Half Backs: N.Jones 2 J.Lever 8 M.Hibberd 14
Centreline: E.Langdon 15 J.Viney - C 7 A.Tomlinson 20
Half Forwards: J.Melksham 18 T.McDonald 25 C.Petracca 5
Forwards: B.Fritsch 31 M.Brown 38 A.vandenBerg 22
Followers: S.Weideman 26 J.Harmes 4 C.Oliver 13
Interchange: L.Jackson 6 C.Spargo 9 A.Neal-Bullen 30
T.Sparrow 32 K.Pickett 36 J.Lockhart 41
J.Wagner 42 J.Smith 44
Emergencies: T.Bedford 12 J.Jordon 23 J.Hunt 29
M.Hore 34