Coach Brenton Sanderson has declared captain Nathan van Berlo a certain started against Greater Western Sydney at Skoda Stadium on Sunday.
Van Berlo hasn’t played since suffering bone bruising around his knee in Adelaide’s Round Two clash with Port Adelaide. The skipper completed Adelaide’s main training session on Thursday and will line-up against the Giants.
“He (van Berlo) is fine and will certainly play this week,” Sanderson said on Thursday.
“It’ll be great to have the skipper back. He’s itching to play and will certainly make our midfield better this week.”
Young defender Rory Laird (corked thigh) and utility Ricky Henderson (calf) both missed the match against Hawthorn last weekend with minor injuries. Sanderson said the pair was also available for selection, with a squad of 25 to be named on Thursday evening.
“Laird is okay and he’ll come into selection debate. Ricky Henderson tweaked a calf the day before the game last week, but he trained fully today and will be another one who will come into consideration,” Sanderson said.
“Laird has only played the two games, but he’s given us a really good, lock down small defender. There’s a partnership there, with Lairdy and Luke Brown being able to take the opposition’s best small forwards. They’ve been really good together.
“Henderson is a bit of a ‘swingman’ for us, with the ability to play at either end. With our forward structure and us missing a few forwards, Henderson can play forward. He can also be really dynamic as a third tall defender if we swing Otten forward.”
Forward/ruckman Josh Jenkins was on light duties at training on Thursday, but Sanderson said the Club was just taking a cautious approach with the damaging tall’s training load.
“Josh is fine. He’ll certainly play for us this week. He did some extra running on Tuesday and has a bit of tightness,” Sanderson said.
“With our key forward stocks limited … we can’t take too many risks with those boys during the week. Jenkins and McKernan will be in cotton wool early in the week.”
The Giants led league leaders Essendon by 21 points at half time last week. Sanderson said Adelaide would respect the improving team, adding he was likely to name a “full-strength” team.
“We’ll pick the best 22 we can this week. At I don’t think we can afford to flirt with our form,” he said.
“If it was late in the season and you’d already sewn up a top-eight spot it might be an opportunity, but we’re not in that position. I respect GWS … they’re a side full of young talent and at their best they can beat anyone and I mean that.”
Exciting young midfielder Brad Crouch will miss a third week with a hamstring injury.
“Crouchy won’t play this week. West Adelaide play Friday night next week. As a young player, I think he would probably play in the SANFL next week,” Sanderson said.
