Crows recruit Ben Keays has praised new teammate Shane McAdam ahead of Adelaide’s first Marsh Community Series match on Saturday.

On Thursday, the Club revealed Keays would play his first game in the tricolours, alongside second-year players McAdam and Jordon Butts, fellow recruit Ben Crocker and former Power player Billy Frampton.

Speaking to media at West Lakes, the 22-year-old said McAdam had surprised him over the pre-season.

“I didn’t really know anything about Shane coming here,” Keays said.

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“What stood out to me with him is that he’s just got footy smarts.. he’s been playing forward and he just shows up in the right spots.

“To see him up close is fantastic, he’s a weapon up forward.”

McAdam played 14 games for the Crows SANFL side in 2019 after starting the season on the sidelines with a calf injury.

Despite a slow start to the season, he kicked 22 goals and finished runner-up leading goal kicker.

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Based on McAdam’s current form, Keays said it was impressive how far the 24-year-old had come over his time at West Lakes.

“The fact that it’s only his second year on an AFL list shows he’s taken really big strides,” Keays said.

“The last trial game we played was the best I’ve seen him play definitely… he’s such a smart player.

“We’ve got quite a few guys that know where to go to find the footy and be dangerous around goal.

“He’s definitely been one that’s surprised me and he’s looking really good.”

Adelaide will announce its full Marsh Community Series squad to face Melbourne on Thursday at 5.50pm ACDT.