Adelaide has made four changes for its clash against Carlton at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
The Crows will open Gather Round for a fourth-straight season and backman Mitch Hinge headlines the inclusions.
Hinge will feature in his first AFL match of 2026 after successfully navigating his way back from a back injury in the Crows’ SANFL game against Woodville-West Torrens last week.
The defender finished the SANFL match with five rebound 50s, five marks and 15 disposals.
Crows Executive General Manager Football Adam Kelly said Hinge’s experience would be a welcomed addition.
“Mitch had an interrupted pre-season due to a lower back complaint and has done well through rehabilitation to return to play last week in the SANFL,” Kelly said.
“He has a proven ability to intercept and he provides us with some drive and penetration from defence.”
Hinge will be joined in the line-up by Rory Laird, who has overcome a minor soleus strain, and Isaac Cumming, who returns up after missing last week’s game against Fremantle due to illness, while Luke Nankervis has also been recalled.
“We welcome back Lairdy’s experience to the line up after missing the past two games,” Kelly said.
“As one of our best ground ball players, he will strengthen our ability to win back possession and start our possession chains from the back half.
“Luke has been under selection consideration each and every week and he gets another chance at AFL level tomorrow night.
“We like the athleticism and versatility that Luke has in his game which allows us to utilise him in various roles.”
Forward Luke Pedlar comes out of the team after entering the AFL’s concussion protocols, while Chayce Jones, Reilly O’Brien and Hugh Bond have been omitted.
Bond has been named on the emergency list alongside Toby Murray and Billy Dowling.
Adelaide faces Carlton at Adelaide Oval on Thursday at 7.10pm.
The game, which is a fully ticketed match, will be broadcast live on Channel 7, Fox Footy and Kayo.
Fans without a ticket can watch live from the Footy Festival at Elder Park.
For all the details on all the Crows’ Gather Round events and player appearances, click here.
IN: Cumming, Hinge, Laird, Nankervis.
OUT: Pedlar (concussion), O’Brien, Jones, Bond (omitted).
Adelaide’s Gather Round team is:
