Bryce Gibbs in line for recall to replace injured Rory Sloane
Out-of-favour Adelaide midfielder Bryce Gibbs has put his hand up to replace injured captain Rory Sloane and play his first game since Round 1 - but do you want him in the 22? Vote now.
Crows
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Strong form in Adelaide’s second-tier scratch matches has thrust Bryce Gibbs in the mix to replace injured captain Rory Sloane for Monday night’s game against St Kilda.
Gibbs has missed the past five AFL games since being dropped ahead of the competition’s restart a month ago.
He was also omitted four times under Don Pyke last season, but Sloane’s four-to-six-week fractured hand injury could open the door for the 266-game veteran to return to the line-up.
Taylor Walker (knee) and Rory Atkins (shoulder) will be available for the game – the first at Adelaide Oval since the Showdown on June 13 – as the 0-6 Crows seek a breakthrough win.
Crows assistant coach Matthew Clarke said that Sloane’s replacement would be picked on form and Gibbs would be considered.
“One of the advantages when we were in the hub was that we played seconds games against the opposition teams that were up there,” Clarke said on Tuesday.
“(Trial games) were really good for our younger guys and players in Bryce’s situation, where they’re trying to make their case. His form in those games was strong and therefore he will come under consideration.
“Clearly we know the capacity that he has … and (Gibbs’ attitude) has been outstanding.
“Obviously there’s a level of regeneration going on, but equally you need to perform at a really high level.”
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Former captain Walker missed Saturday’s loss to West Coast with a knee complaint, while Atkins last played in Round 3 against Gold Coast, when he injured his AC joint.
Shane McAdam (ankle) is expected to be available.
Emerging forward Darcy Fogarty will not return and will miss a fourth consecutive week since hurting his shoulder at training last month.
Sloane will undergo surgery on Thursday.
With fixture congestion looming, Clarke said the club would probably not need to rest players if upcoming games were scheduled either side of five-day breaks, but if it was four, that could lead to rotation.
“That’s why you’ve got to be able to have a squad of players ready to go,” he said.
Clarke hoped playing in front of a home crowd of about 21,000 on Monday would lift the players.
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