Why the 22 players in Adelaide’s Marsh Series team aren’t Round 1 locks
Adelaide and Port Adelaide have named their teams for their final pre-season hit-outs this weekend, with Round 1 spots up for grabs at both clubs. SEE THE TEAMS
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Kyle Hartigan again remains on the outer, opening the door for a trio of young Crows, while Port Adelaide welcome back two of its stars for the two SA club’s final hitout ahead of the AFL season.
The Crows will take on the Gold Coast Suns on Friday while the Power head to Whyalla for their clash against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.
Adelaide has named a squad of 26 but assistant coach Ben Hart said the Crows were intending to play 22 players in a “dress rehearsal” for the way they wanted to play.
“As far as the team itself we still have some things that we want to work out to be honest,” he said.
“There are a couple of guys who are short on their prep... so not settled by any means.”
Hartigan played all but three games for the Crows in 2019, but has had an interrupted pre-season after undergoing minor ankle surgery in the off-season which has left him as an emergency for Adelaide’s two pre-season games.
“He’s a little short on his prep to be honest,” Hart said.
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No. 6 pick Fischer McAsey was named at centre half back for the Crows, while other young defenders Will Hamill and Jordon Butts were named on the interchange - the latter holding his spot in the squad from the first Marsh Community Series game against Melbourne.
Hart said there were still multiple spots up for grabs in the Crows defence.
“We potentially rested him (McAsey) in Marsh 1 because of the loads of a first-year player,” Hart said.
“He’s an intercept player, a guy who backs himself in the air, pretty neat with the footy and plays his role really well.
“Jordon is in the mix as well... Will Hamill is in the mix as well then we have to decide whether we go three talls or a mix there’s a fight on for spots.”
Tom Doedee will also add to the selection battle when he can make his return from an ACL position.
“It’s a great position for us,” Hart said of the selection issues in defence.
Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty come into a rejigged Crows forward line, while Paul Seedsman and Brodie Smith will also play against the Suns after missing the opening pre-season game.
Hart said he believed Fogarty and Walker could coexist together, despite playing style similarities.
“Yeah they can absolutely,” he said.
“They are similar roles but they play them in different ways so we think they can and they have worked well together in pre-season.”
Ben Davis and Tyson Stengle get a chance to sure up a small forward spot, while Ben Crocker is named on the interchange.
Shane McAdam will have to do with trying to impress in a trial game on Saturday.
Ned McHenry, Ben Keays, Patrick Wilson and Billy Frampton also come out of the squad.
In Frampton’s case, it could give Elliot Himmelberg the opportunity to push ahead as the No. 2 ruck option behind Reilly O’Brien.
PORT has made three changes to its squad to take on the Bulldogs.
Robbie Gray and Scott Lycett come in and are joined by Willem Drew.
They replace Peter Ladhams, Tobin Cox and Sam Mayes.
Jackson Mead will have to try and force his way into the Port side via a SANFL trial after again not being chosen after a hamstring complaint.
He withdrew from last week’s Under 23 trial match against the Crows.
Jack Watts will face a similar voyage into Port’s side after he was not chosen in the squad.
CROWS v SUNS
Friday, 4.20pm
Noarlunga Oval
CROWS
Backs: J.Kelly 8 D.Talia 12 R.Laird 29
Half Backs: L.Brown 16 F.McAsey 35 W.Milera 30
Centreline: P.Seedsman 11 B.Crouch 2 R.Atkins 21
Half Forwards: T.Lynch 27 T.Walker 13 B.Davis 40
Forwards: T.Stengle 18 D.Fogarty 32 L.Murphy 4
Followers: R.O’Brien 43 M.Crouch 5 R.Sloane - C 9
Interchange: C.Jones 1 B.Gibbs 6 M.Poholke 10
W.Hamill 17 B.Crocker 20 B.Smith 33
E.Himmelberg 34 J.Butts 41
Emergencies: D.Mackay 14 K.Hartigan 15 B.Frampton 22
S.McAdam 23
CATS
Backs: J.Dawson 45 C.Graham 46 J.Lukosius 13
Half Backs: J.Bowes 3 S.Collins 25 B.Fiorini 8
Centreline: B.Ellis 4 H.Greenwood 21 N.Anderson 15
Half Forwards: A.Sexton 6 S.Day 12 B.Ainsworth 9
Forwards: D.Swallow - C 24 P.Wright 30 D.MacPherson 44
Followers: Z.Smith 32 T.Miller 11 L.Weller 14
Interchange: W.Brodie 7 C.Budarick 35 N.Holman 39
J.Joyce 38 J.McLennan 43 J.Murdoch 31
M.Rowell 18 J.Sharp 37
Emergencies: C.Burgess 29 C.Ellis 17 G.Horlin-Smith 33
J.Schoenfeld 36
BULLDOGS v POWER
Saturday, 4.10pm
Bennett Oval
BULLDOGS
Backs: A.Keath 42 Z.Cordy 12 B.Williams 34
Half Backs: H.Crozier 9 J.Johannisen 39 C.Daniel 35
Centreline: W.Hayes 32 M.Bontempelli - C 4 L.Hunter 7
Half Forwards: P.Lipinski 27 J.Schache 13 J.Bruce 17
Forwards: M.Wallis 3 B.Dale 31 S.Lloyd 22
Followers: T.English 44 J.Dunkley 5 J.Macrae 11
Interchange: M.Suckling 1 Le.Young 2 B.Smith 6
E.Wood 10 T.McLean 16 R.Smith 37
J.Sweet 41 R.Gardner 43
Emergencies: R.West 14 L.Butler 18 E.Richards 20
B.Cavarra 25
POWER
Backs: R.Burton 3 T.Jonas - C 1 R.Bonner 26
Half Backs: H.Hartlett 8 T.McKenzie 12 D.Byrne-Jones 33
Centreline: X.Duursma 21 T.Rockliff 11 K.Amon 15
Half Forwards: S.Powell-Pepper 2 M.Georgiades 19 C.Rozee 20
Forwards: Z.Butters 18 C.Dixon 22 R.Gray 9
Followers: S.Lycett 29 D.Houston 5 T.Boak 10
Interchange: T.Marshall 4 S.Motlop 6 B.Ebert 7
T.Clurey 17 K.Farrell 24 W.Drew 28
J.Westhoff 39 J.Lienert 40
Emergencies: J.Atley 30 S.Mayes 32 D.Williams 34
P.Ladhams 38