Adelaide has selected an extended squad of 24 for its Elimination Final against St Kilda at Norwood Oval on Sunday.
Irish wing Niamh Kelly and All-Australian utility Chelsea Randall are in line to return from concussion, after the pair got through Thursday morning’s main training session.
Kelly and Randall are named on the Crows’ extended bench, and if they remain symptom free, will take their place in the team on Sunday afternoon.
“Niamh and Chelsea are both coming back from concussion, and the concussion protocols say you have to do a full competitive training session which they did today (Thursday),” Adelaide Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper said.
“They both pulled up well after the session, however we know what happened last week with Chelsea, who experienced symptoms later on Thursday night and was withdrawn from the team.
“So we’ll just see how they pull up tomorrow, but if we name them both tomorrow they’ll be in the side for Sunday.”
Second-year tall Lily Tarlinton also returns to the squad.
“Lily gives us great cover, she’s played a bit of footy at AFLW level now and handled herself quite well, so she gives us great depth for our talls,” Harper said.
“She’s given herself the best chance to play, and we’ll see what happens with the final selection tomorrow.”
All three inclusions have been named on the extended bench, alongside Amy Boyle Carr, Brooke Boileau, Brooke Tonon, Keeley Kustermann and Stevie-Lee Thompson.
The eight-person bench will be cut to five when the Crows confirm their team on Friday afternoon at 4.30pm (ACDT).
A victory against the Dockers last week, and other results going its way, meant that Adelaide finished the home and away season in sixth spot, and secured a home Elimination Final against the Saints.
Harper said the Crows were relishing an opportunity to begin their final campaign at home.
“It’s terrific to be here now in the finals, playing in front of our home crowd at Norwood Oval,” Harper said.
“This team has been very resilient, it hasn’t been smooth sailing this year, however when they’ve had to pull it out and get it done they have, and ultimately that’s got us to the finals.
“The plan all along from Doc (Matthew Clarke) was to have them peaking at the right time of year, and hopefully we will see the start of that peaking this Sunday.
“Our fans have been terrific for us all year, and it will be good to play in front of them again this year and hopefully they can help us to a win against the Saints.”
Adelaide faces St Kilda in an Elimination Final this Sunday at Norwood Oval, with the first bounce at 2.35pm ACDT.
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Adelaide's Elimination Final extended squad is:
