The race for two defensive Adelaide Crows positions at begins in earnest in JLT Community Series campaign

THE ‘positions vacant’ sign has gone up at West Lakes, sparking a game within a game when Adelaide opens its JLT Community Series campaign against Fremantle at Strathalbyn Oval on Sunday.

Untried first-round draft pick Tom Doedee will push his claims for a spot in Adelaide’s back six in the JLT Community Series. Picture: Sam Wundke ((AAP).

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THE ‘positions vacant’ sign has gone up at West Lakes, sparking a game within a game when Adelaide opens its JLT Community Series campaign against Fremantle at Strathalbyn Oval on Sunday.

New defensive coach Ben Hart has suggested only four players should be considered walk-up starts in the Crows back six — believed to be All-Australians Daniel Talia and Rory Laird, back pocket specialist Luke Brown and full back Kyle Hartigan — and that the race is on to find replacements for departed tall Jake Lever (Melbourne) and injured rebounder Brodie Smith.

“It’s a very interesting scenario,’’ said club great Hart, who has replaced James Podsiadly as Adelaide’s backline mentor.

“If you look at the backs there’s probably four guys who you could say are locked in and that there are a couple of spots some guys are fighting for.’’

Hart indicated All-Australian nominee Lever’s spot appears a race in five between the versatile Jake Kelly, who played 24 games last year, untried first-round draft pick Tom Doedee, six-game former first-class cricketer Alex Keath, forgotten Kyle Cheney, who didn’t play an AFL match last season, and swingman Andy Otten.

Cheney and Otten were co-captains of Adelaide’s AFLX-winning squad.

Doedee — drafted at pick 17 in 2015 — has enjoyed his first injury-free pre-season and looked the goods in the AFLX with his intercept marking and athleticism.

Keath performed well in his six AFL games last season.

Hart said as many as six players were vying for the playmaking backline role usually occupied by 2014 All-Australian Smith, who will miss most of the season as he recovers from a knee reconstruction.

They include veterans Richard Douglas and David Mackay, ex-Magpie Paul Seedsman, new recruit Sam Gibson from North Melbourne and third-year midfielder/forward Wayne Milera, who has been trialling in the back half.

Boom recruit Bryce Gibbs will be used primarily as a midfielder but could play cameos as a playmaking defender.

“There are certainly spots up for grabs but the good thing is that we’ve got plenty of options back there,’’ said Hart.

“As a club we have to work out whether we want to go for extra marking ability or a little bit more run but the main thing is to not find players who can necessarily play the role of Lever or Smith but who will step up and play our way.

“There’s plenty of guys in the mix who have ticked all the boxes so far in the pre-season to put their hands up for selection.

“Form in these pre-season games will probably determine who gets the nod.’’

Hart is pleased with the defence he has inherited but wants his backline men — and the team in general — to play with more aggression.

“We’re in a pretty good space and have a great system so we don’t need to change too much but a little bit more aggression, a more uncompromising approach, wouldn’t hurt,’’ he said.

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