Adelaide has made four changes for its Round 12 clash against Fremantle at Norwood Oval on Sunday.
Ruck Jess Allan, Irish duo Amy Boyle Carr and Kayleigh Cronin and veteran Stevie-Lee Thompson all return to the squad for its do-or-die clash against the Dockers.
Crows Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper said the quartet had all earned their way back into the side after impressive scrimmage form.
“Jess comes back in after a week off last week, she performed well in the scrimmage and will be an important player for us battling Mim Strom this weekend,” Harper said.
“Kayleigh has been out of the team for the past five or six weeks, it’s a new game for her and she’s still learning a lot, but she’s been impressive in the scrimmages and earns her chance this week.
“Amy had a knock in the head a couple of weeks ago, and although she passed all the concussion we left her out to get her right, she played last week in the scrimmage and was good and will be a welcome return.
“While Stevie-Lee gets another opportunity after an impressive performance in last week’s scrimmage.”
As confirmed in Tuesday’s injury report, Niamh Kelly will miss the game with concussion, while Brooke Smith, Rachelle Martin and Lily Tarlinton have been omitted.
“It’s disappointing we don’t have Niamh this week, but she’s feeling good at the moment which is great, and now the team needs to win this weekend so she can play again next week,” Harper said.
“Brooke is a bit unlucky to go out, she’s only young, learning her craft and is getting better, we’re excited by the improvement she’s got left in her.
“Lily has come a long way, last year she was a fair way off it and played only two games and this year she’s played six in a row and improved immensely - she’s a bit unlucky to go out this week, but overall we are still very pleased with her progress.
“Rachelle has had a tough year, she came in last week and kicked a nice goal, but in the end the way we wanted to structure up this week against Fremantle has her come out of the team.”
Chelsea Randall was withdrawn from the extended squad on Friday afternoon, after reporting concussion-related symptoms following Thursday’s main training session.
Adelaide needs to record a victory against Fremantle on Sunday to keep its finals hopes alive.
Harper said the group was excited by the opportunity to compete in such a high-stakes encounter on Sunday afternoon.
“Fremantle are one of the form teams of the competition, so if we can win, we know we’ve beaten a formidable opponent,” Harper said.
“It will be a full-on game on Sunday, but these are the games you want to be involved in, and with them being in the same position as us, it will make for a very entertaining contest.”
Adelaide faces Fremantle in a do-or-die Round 12 clash at Norwood Oval on Sunday at 4.35pm.
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IN: J Allan, Thompson, Cronin, Boyle Carr
OUT: N Kelly (concussion), Smith, Tarlinton, Martin (omitted)
Adelaide’s Round 12 team is:
