Ruckman Sam Jacobs is expecting Adelaide to field a team closely resembling its Round One side in the Club’s opening match of the JLT Community Series against Fremantle on Sunday.
Jacobs watched last week’s inaugural AFLX tournament from the sidelines as the Crows opted largely for youth in the fast-paced, shortened format of the game.
After a long pre-season and with the start of the premiership season just over a month away, the All Australian nominee will be putting his hand up to play against the Dockers.
“I like to have a long lead-in (to the season proper),” he said.
“I’m not the guy who can just show up on the day and perform. I’m keen to play and get into it, as there’s nothing like game-simulation.
“I’d imagine we’d be reasonably strong. There’s only two games, so all the players are looking for an opportunity to fine-tune ready for Round One.”
With the addition of experienced midfielders Bryce Gibbs and Sam Gibson in the trade period and Curtly Hampton impressing in the AFLX matches after an injury-interrupted 2017, the Crows will likely partake in some robust selection discussions heading into the upcoming premiership campaign.
Adelaide fielded just 31 players last season, the fewest of all AFL clubs, but Jacobs is anticipating that number to be higher in 2018 after seeing the younger players at West lakes taking strides in their recent development.
“I think you’ll see a lot of guys get their opportunity,” he said.
“We’re a really deep squad, we have a lot of guys who are AFL-ready.
“When guys have a strong pre-season, I think it’s important to give them an opportunity.”
With 2017 Malcom Blight Medallist Matt Crouch and brother Brad both elevating their respective games to another level last season alongside Rory Sloane, and Hugh Greenwood emerging to play 15 games, Jacobs had plenty of support around stoppages last season.
With Gibbs and Gibson added to the mix, along with Hampton and 2017 SANFL standouts Myles Poholke and Jordan Gallucci, the Crows seemingly have a variety of midfield options at their disposal, which appeals to Jacobs.
“I feel we’ve got eight-to-ten guys who can go through there on any game day,” he said.
“I think it is important to have that depth because it shows, on the bigger stage.
“We’ve got a lot of flexible players, it’s a big part of our game.”
The extended Crows squad for the first JLT match will be named on Thursday, with the 26-man side to be announced on Friday.
Jacobs is looking forward to seeing how the team gels across the pre-season hit outs, with every player focused on making season 2018 a success.
“I think you’re going to see a Crows team that’s going to build on what we did last year but we just need to fine-tune a few things,” he said.
“There’s going to be a few personnel changes, so I think there’ll be enough there to keep us fresh and enough will change to for us to give ourselves every chance.”
