Rookie Jake Kelly has been promoted to Adelaide’s senior list.

Kelly, 20, has been elevated in place of Brent Reilly, who has been placed on the long-term injury list.

A 189cm, 87kg, defender, Kelly was recruited by the Crows with pick No.40 in the Rookie Draft of December, 2013.

He made his Crows debut in the Club’s NAB Challenge game against North Melbourne in Port Lincoln last month, and played all three pre-season matches.

In his first season at Adelaide, Kelly played every game for the Club’s SANFL team, finishing equal-runner up in the best and fairest award. He led the SANFL Crows for marks and averaged 16 possessions, while also shutting down some of the League’s best forwards.

Jake is the son of Collingwood premiership defender, Craig Kelly. The ultra-competitive backman, who is renowned for his professionalism and meticulous approach, is affectionately known as ‘Bull’ because of his ‘bull-at-a-gate’ approach to training.

A rookie must be promoted to the senior list to be included in the 25, which includes emergencies. Adelaide will name its team to play Melbourne at 5:55pm on Thursday.

Reilly suffered a fractured skull during a routine training drill in February. The veteran underwent surgery to repair the damage and spent more than a week in hospital. Coach Phil Walsh said Reilly, who routinely attends training and home games, continues to make good progress in rehabilitation from the serious injury, but that there was no rush on his recovery.

“Radar was at training (watching) yesterday. He’s coming along. He still has some rehab work that he needs to do at the moment. Like, he can’t drive a car yet. We’re just going to let Brent get his life in order.”

Once placed on the long-term injury list, a player is ineligible to play at any level for eight weeks.