Cam Ellis-Yolmen will play his first match in almost three weeks when the SANFL Crows confront West Adelaide on Friday night.
The dynamic midfielder suffered a dislocated finger in Adelaide’s Round 10 clash with Central District just a week after making his AFL debut at Patersons Stadium.
Ellis-Yolmen has averaged 22 possessions in nine appearances with the SANFL Crows and will start at half-forward in Friday night’s clash with the Bloods, which kicks off at 7.20pm at Richmond Oval.
Fellow AFL-listed midfielder Jarryd Lyons has also been named in Adelaide’s state league side. It will be Lyons’ first SANFL appearance since the 21-year-old collected 34 possessions and kicked three goals at The Parade in Round Seven.
Reliable Murray Bridge defender Matt Thompson is the final inclusion on an extended interchange.
After last week’s SANFL bye, coach Heath Younie said the team was eager to return to action.
“It’s a long season, and the break was good for a lot of our young players to freshen up,” Younie told afc.com.au.
“But the boys are raring to go for Friday night and we are all keen to get back on with the job.
“We’ve shown some solid form in the last few rounds and it’s important we put up another four-quarter effort against a side we really respect in West Adelaide.”
West Adelaide recorded a 17-point victory over league leaders Port Adelaide in its last outing a fortnight ago. Only percentage separates the Crows and the Bloods on the SANFL ladder, but Younie said the players were ready to atone for Adelaide’s 37-point loss when the two sides met back in Round Six.
“We let ourselves down with a few costly lapses last time we played,” Younie said.
“I think we’ve shown that we have improved a lot since then, and many of our younger players are showing a lot more confidence and potential.
“I’ve got no doubt it will be a good contest.”
Luke Thompson, Jason Porplyzia and Jarryd Lyons have also been named as emergencies for Adelaide’s AFL fixture against the GWS Giants.
Crows ticketed members receive free entry into Friday night’s clash, which kicks off from 7.20pm at Richmond Oval. Radio station RPH will broadcast the game live.
The West Adelaide Football Club will also offer food and beverage specials to Crows members upon presentation of their membership card before the opening bounce. Deals include $12 schnitzels with chips and $5 pints of beer or cider.
A $7.90 kids menu and family-friendly area, with free access to PlayStation and Basketball games, will also be available for young supporters of both clubs.
The SANFL team is:
B: Michael O’Malley, Kyle Hartigan, Sam Siggins
HB: Jason Porplyzia, Luke Thompson, Jake Kelly
C: Riley Knight, Matt Crouch, Ian Callinan (c)
HF: Alex Spina, Shaun McKernan, Cam Ellis-Yolmen
F: Rory Atkins, Jack Osborn, James Battersby
R: Angus Graham, Mitch Grigg, Jarryd Lyons
Interchange (from): Matt Thompson, Tyson Davis-Neale, Will Paynter, Gene Robinson
In: Lyons, Ellis-Yolmen, M. Thompson
Out: Lynch, Henderson (AFL)
Crows ticketed members receive free entry to all of Adelaide’s SANFL matches in 2014. Click here to browse the Club’s membership options and join the 19th Man today.
