Tom Lynch will lead Adelaide against Carlton but Riley Knight joins casualty list at West Lakes

TOM Lynch can emboss his contract claims leading Adelaide against Carlton on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval while Darcy Fogarty gets another AFL audition with skipper Taylor Walker sidelined.

Tom Lynch will lead Adelaide against Carlton. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

TOM Lynch can emboss his contract claims leading Adelaide against Carlton on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval while Darcy Fogarty gets another AFL audition with skipper Taylor Walker sidelined.

However, Riley Knight appears to have become the eighth victim of Adelaide’s hamstring scourge. Defender Jake Kelly, rookie Fogarty and Eddie Betts replace Knight, Myles Poholke and Walker against the Blues.

“We’ll manage Riley’s loads this week,” said Crows head of football Brett Burton.

“He’s been back for two games at AFL level and performed well. It just a case of him being a little bit sore and it’s a long season.”

Betts, Walker, Kyle Hartigan, Matt Crouch, Kyle Cheney, Sam Gibson, Lachlan Murphy and Knight have endured hamstring strains this season.

Walker and deputy Rory Sloane (foot) are hobbled meaning 110-game link-man Lynch, 27, will lead the Crows with Matt Crouch as deputy. A compelling display as skipper will enhance Lynch’s push for a lucrative three-year deal at West Lakes.

“Lynchy will be fine, that is why he is in the leadership group,’ said Adelaide coach Don Pyke of off-contract Lynch.

Betts returns to torment his old side along with Bryce Gibbs and Sam Jacobs.

Poholke was impressive against Gold Coast but Pyke said competition for spots epitomised quality sides.

“That will stand us in good stead for the season because those guys have a taste of AFL, know their role and have had a bit of influence,” said Pyke.

Gibbs gave Adelaide the fright of its life the last time Pyke’s side encountered Carlton but there is little to fear tomorrow night at Adelaide Oval.

Skipper Marc Murphy (foot) and Jacob Weitering (thigh) remain sidelined while 2017 John Nicholls medal runner-up Sam Docherty (knee) won’t return until next season. Carlton coach Brendon Bolton also had Charlie Curnow and Caleb Marchbank succumb to ankle injuries.

Docherty, serving as a bench coach this season, noted the baby faced engine room Bolton was fielding.

“We have a had a massive amount of minutes into our young guys. Lochie O’Brien, Paddy Dow are first years, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Zac Fisher who is a second year and Matt Kennedy who is a third year,” said Docherty.

“It gives a level of understanding about our inconsistencies. You have to understand the level of growth you will see.”

“We’re not accepting losing, we are doing reviews which haven’t been great, have to learn from it.”

Pyke said the Blues - to be strengthened by ruckman Matt Kreuzer’s return from a groin strain - were better than their winless 2018 record suggested.

“I have seen a number of their games this year where they have played really good footy for periods,” said Pyke of Carlton.

“If you look at their performances the North Melbourne game in Tasmania is the only game they have been beaten badly.

“The rest of the times they have been in games and the West Coast game at the MCG they were there or there abouts very much late into the game.”

Pyke has warned his men against complacency given the Blues got to within 12 points in round 15 at the MCG last season. Patrick Cripps is averaging a competition high 19 contested possessions per game this campaign.

“They have some high quality young players, clearly haven't got the results on the board they want,” said Pyke.

“We certainly won’t be going in with any attitude other than to play the sort of footy to get the result.”

Originally published as Tom Lynch will lead Adelaide against Carlton but Riley Knight joins casualty list at West Lakes