AFL 2024: All the latest team news from the Power and the Crows

Brodie Smith was subbed into Showdown 55 at the expense of debutant Dan Curtin. Does that change things for Brisbane? Matthew Nicks talks team selection, plus the latest on Port.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 20: Jordon Sweet of the Power marks during the round six AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Port Adelaide Power at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 20, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Adelaide senior coach Matthew Nicks says the spate of injuries Brisbane have been struck by could actually make the Lions a more dangerous opponent.

And the Nicks said the Crows were likely to try and keep the side that was looking for its third win in a row together as much as possible, with there “no rush” to get veteran Brodie Smith back playing full games.

The Crows come into the Sunday afternoon clash on the back of two wins, including a victory over fierce rivals Port Adelaide in the Showdown.

The Lions are also coming in to the clash off the back of a derby win.

But it came at a significant injury cost with Lincoln McCarthy and Darcy Gardiner now out of the year with ACL injuries and Noah Answerth and Brandon Starcevich also to miss.

But while the Lions have a lengthy injury list, Nicks said it didn’t make them any less dangerous - in fact it could be the opposite.

Daniel Curtin after his Showdown debut. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos

“We saw a Brisbane side that dug in,” Nicks said.

“It can be a dangerous thing when you come up against a side with a lot of injuries because you have players who are hungry to show what they have got.”

Nicks said it was unlikely the Crows would make many, if any, changes for the clash.

Midfielder Sam Berry, key forward Chris Burgess and small forward Lachie Murphy come into the extended squad for the clash.

“The pleasing part at the moment is that we have some pressure from the guys who haven’t been selected,” he said.

“For the past few weeks they have been playing some good footy and we have a group that are back to the footy that they are playing consistently last year.

“There will be some decisions to be made, but in saying that we like to stick with the group that are getting the job done so I wouldn’t be expecting too many changes this week.”

Top draftee Dan Curtin was subbed out at three-quarter-time in his debut in the Showdown, but Nicks said that was more about getting some experience into the game.

“I loved his composure, you look at it and you go 52,000 in a Showdown game the pressure doesn’t get more than that,” he said.

Harry Schoenberg is on the cusp of a return. Picture: David Mariuz

“The game was hot early and I thought he was a big part in our composure early when our opposition controlled the game for different periods and he was part of that back six or seven that showed some maturity.”

The man who replaced him was Smith, with the 32-year-old returning as the sub after recovering from a back injury.

Nicks said Smith would benefit from being the sub and his experience was still vital.

“There is no rush, the decision comes back to what we think is best for that individual game and where we think individuals are at and we will continue to use that 23rd player or that sub role, and we use it as an impact player, we will continue to use that throughout the year,” he said.

“It will be nice to be able to use it and make that decision because we have a lot of players ready to play at the level.

“What is the injury rate? What sort of pressure is coming below from your seconds team? It always makes the group above play with a bit more intent when they know someone is coming for their position.

“Brodie will benefit from an easier lead-in coming off a sore back.

“I think he is super important to our group, the experience he brings to a young backline. We won’t take that for granted.”

Nicks did say young midfielder Harry Schoenberg was getting closer to a return to the senior side after some impressive displays in the SANFL following his return from a ruptured Achilles.

“He is in my opinion ready to play AFL football, it is now just a matter of the opportunity for him to get back in,” he said.

“We are not going to make a change there unless we feel like it is going to make the side better.”

Port dealt double injury blow ahead of big task

Port Adelaide’s daunting road trip to Kardinia Park, which coach Ken Hinkley dubbed as “the biggest task in footy”, has become even more difficult after the confirmed loss of the side’s skipper and starting ruck.

As revealed by this masthead, boom recruit Jordon Sweet has been ruled out with illness, joining Connor Rozee, Lachie Jones and Jase Burgoyne on the sidelines for a huge clash at a ground the Power haven’t won at since 2007.’

“There is a bit going on,” Hinkley said.

Jeremy Finlayson returns after his ban for using a homophobic slur, Aliir Aliir comes back after his concussion, ruckman Dante Visentini will make his first appearance of the season, as will Josh Sinn.

Francis Evans also comes into the side with defender Dylan Williams dropped.

For the second year in a row the Power come into a clash with the Cats in Geelong having to make mass changes.

Sweet (L) has not trained this week. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“A lot more last year, I remember last year’s game from the time we selected the side to the time we ran out on the field we took eight out which is a remarkable number,” Hinkley said.

“But we performed really well down there, in some ways we thought we were a bit unlucky down there.

“But we know the challenge of beating Geelong in Geelong and what it has been like for us in particular but also every club.

“It is probably the biggest task in footy still.”

Hinkley said it was simple why the Power had struggled in Geelong for so long.

“We would be foolish to acknowledge the talent of the team that we come up against there, I’m sure they have been the best ranked team since about 2005 or 2006 and performing at a high level,” he said.

“One and the most important is that they have been a great team.

“We will plan to play the way that we like to play, we will try and limit some of the weapons of the opposition... there are a lot of them to consider.

“But the reality is that we have to play our best football and if that comes out then we will put ourselves in this game with the best chance.”

Connor Rozee will miss 1-2 weeks. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

The Power are 5-3 but again face questions about its record in big games and against the top teams in the competition following the Showdown loss last time out.

Hinkley said the Power needed to get wins to change the external narrative.

“That’s the talk and it is fair and obvious but we are in a position at the start of the year, we are 5-3, we would like to be a bit better than that clearly,” he said.

“But we are not too far off the pace and the pack.

“But yes the reality of that is as the season unfolds you have to beat teams that are going to be a part of finals and hopefully we are one of those teams.

“We have played Fremantle (sixth) and beaten Fremantle, so we always bring the narrative to what we need to and that’s fair.

“We need to play well every week, not just against the good or bad teams if that is what you term them.

“It is fair, it is reasonable, with 4708 journalists in the game I am sure there is going to be a question about performance every week. that’s OK.”

YOUNG CROW COULD MAKE RETURN SOON

Adelaide forward Luke Pedlar could return to footy in the next fortnight from his shoulder injury.

And key forward Riley Thilthorpe has had a pleasing development in his recovery from a serious knee injury.

Pedlar dislocated his right shoulder against North Melbourne in Round 7, missing the Crows’ Showdown win over Port Adelaide on Thursday.

There was speculation that Pedlar, who has had shoulder issues before, could miss the rest of the season.

But the Crows said on Tuesday that he could be back in action within two weeks.

“Luke went and got a couple of surgical opinions and he will improve his strength over the next couple of weeks and be available in about two to three weeks’ time,” Crows High Performance Manager Darren Burgess said.

Pedlar missed the Crows’ Showdown win. (Photo by Linda Higginson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“He’s presenting really well and done everything that we’ve asked, he’s got excellent power and excellent range so we’re looking forward to having him back available in a couple of weeks.

“He’s doing a lot of strength stuff to improve his shoulder but pleasingly it’s already back to pre-injury level so he just needs to tick a few more boxes and he’ll be available.”

Thilthorpe is out of his knee brace and is ramping up his rehab from his knee injury he suffered in pre-season.

He is listed as seven to nine weeks away and Burgess said Thilthorpe was progressing well.

“Riley is doing a lot more mobility work and a lot of work in the pool, so he’s progressing really, really well and improving his strength and flexibility,” he said.

Key defender Nick Murray is listed as three to four weeks away.

Originally published as AFL 2024: All the latest team news from the Power and the Crows