Crows sideline key defender Daniel Talia with corrective surgery as Andy Otten gets another chance
OUT-of-contract Crows defender Andy Otten gets another timely chance to make his case to stay at the Adelaide Football Club next season as Daniel Talia sidelined for surgery.
ANDY Otten gets another handy audition for a new contract at Adelaide FC — and timely support with the return of key defender Alex Keath to deal with Carlton goalkicking threat Charlie Curnow at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
And the Crows have called up their sixth new face for the season — key forward and pinch-hitting ruckman Elliot Himmelberg for his AFL start as their attack completed the team without suspended and injured captain Taylor Walker.
Himmelberg, the No. 51 pick in the 2016 AFL national draft, has kicked 11 goals in his past five SANFL games.
In an intriguing move — considering the continue absence of key defender Daniel Talia and the loss of Rising Star defender Tom Doedee — Crows coach Don Pyke has cast aside experienced defender Kyle Cheney.
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Otten, 29, made a strong case for a new contract — that is was not on the table last week — by holding North Melbourne’s Coleman Medal-contending key forward Ben Brown to no goal at Adelaide Oval on Sunday when Keath was a pre-game withdrawal with a hamstring concern.
Keath and Himmelberg, 20, are added to the Adelaide 22 that is playing to finish the season with a “winning” 12-10 record after being the minor premier last season. They replace Cheney and Doedee.
Adelaide, after earlier this week grading Talia a 50-50 chance to play against the Blues, put the key defender in hospital for corrective surgery on his left thumb yesterday.
Crows football boss Brett Burton advanced the surgery as soon as it was clear Talia would not be fit, by his recent leg injuries, to run on the Docklands’ solid deck.
“Daniel has had issues with his thumb for much of the season and managed the injury accordingly,” he said. “It makes sense to have the procedure done now so his pre-season is not affected.”
Talia follows Doedee to hospital this week. Doedee had a broken collarbone — from his collision with North Melbourne midfielder Jed Anderson at Adelaide Oval on Sunday — repaired.
CARLTON (2-19, 18th) has recalled former Crows midfielder Sam Kerridge in its only chance at selection. He replaces Paddy Dow, who is troubled by a bruised knee.
PORT ADELAIDE (12-9, ninth) will give a sample of what might be next season by playing two ruckman — All-Australian Patrick Ryder and debutant Billy Frampton — at Adelaide Oval against also-ran Essendon on Friday night.
Ryder will have more time in attack, a pointer to next season if West Coast releases restricted free agent ruckman Steve Lycett to accept a five-year offer at the Power.
Frampton, bullish midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper and pressure forward Jake Neade are the three changes to the 22 who fell by 51 points to Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday to lose control of Port Adelaide’s finals destiny.
They replace injured midfielder Tom Rockliff, who is to have shoulder surgery for the second time in less than a year; forward Aidyn Johnson and defender Riley Bonner.
ESSENDON (11-10, 11th) has recalled ruckman Matthew Leuenberger and midfielder Jayden Laverde.
Leuenberger covers to the loss of lead ruckman Tom Bellchambers is sidelined by his round of corrective shoulder surgery on Monday. Laverde replaces Matt Dea, who was dropped from the 22.
Veteran Brendon Goddard will play his last game for the Bombers.
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