TEAM UPDATE: The Crows will go into tonight's clash with St Kilda as named.
Chris Knights will start as the substitute in his first game for the season. The Saints made a late change, with Jarryn Geary into the team at the expense of small forward Ahmed Saad, who was concussed against Gold Coast last weekend.
At selection on Thursday night, the Crows recalled Knights, David Mackay and Brodie Martin.
Mackay returns after missing Adelaide’s last match against Fremantle two weeks ago because of a hamstring complaint, while Knights and Martin have been rewarded for strong SANFL form.
The trio replaces suspended midfielder Bernie Vince, Graham Johncock (back) and Brodie Smith, who has been omitted.
Coach Brenton Sanderson said the Club was optimistic Johncock wouldn’t be sidelined for long.
“Stiffy jagged his back at training on Monday, but it’s nothing serious that will keep him out for too long,” Sanderson told afc.com.au.
“His back just didn’t loosen up in time and he still couldn’t train today (Thursday), so that made the decision to leave him out pretty easy for us.”
Have you watched Channel Crow's behind the scenes look at a weights session?
A veteran of 91 AFL games, Chris Knights will pull on the Adelaide jumper for the first time this season against the Saints.
“Chris is a good player with lots of experience. He’s just been waiting for an opportunity,” Sanderson said.
“He got suspended in the SANFL, then it was the State League Game and his team Woodville-West Torrens had a bye, so it’s been really hard for him to get continuity in playing matches.
“With Vince out, Chris can slip into that role without too much fuss. He’s a left-footer, a good kick and good decision maker. He would’ve liked to have been in sooner, but it’s good to have him in.”
Smith, who has played every game this season, is an unfortunate victim of the selection pressure at West Lakes.
“Brodie hasn’t been playing poorly, but with so many guys playing well in the SANFL deserving opportunities unfortunately he makes way this week,” Sanderson said.
“He’s had a couple of quieter weeks, but he’ll go back to the Eagles, improve and be back in the side. We rate Brodie highly.”
The team is:
B: Brent Reilly, Ben Rutten, Sam Shaw
HB: Matt Jaensch, Daniel Talia, Michael Doughty
C: Nathan van Berlo, Scott Thompson, David Mackay
HF: Jared Petrenko, Taylor Walker, Matt Wright
F: Josh Jenkins, Kurt Tippett, Jason Porplyzia
Rucks: Sam Jacobs, Rory Sloane, Patrick Dangerfield
INT: Ian Callinan, Richard Douglas, Chris Knights, Brodie Martin
EMERG: Ricky Henderson, Brodie Smith, Brad Symes
INS: Chris Knights, David Mackay, Brodie Martin
OUTS: Bernie Vince (susp), Graham Johncock (back), Brodie Smith (omit)
