INJURY-cursed Adelaide midfielder Brad Crouch will play his first competitive game in almost 17 months in an AFL trial match on Saturday.
Crouch last played in Adelaide’s 2017 grand final loss and missed last season because of groin problems which required surgery.
He will play for the Crows against Port Adelaide in a trial game of players predominantly aged under 23 on Saturday morning.
“He he has been able to do a mountain of work which is great, supporters should be excited to have him back … I know we are internally,” Adelaide assistant coach Scott Camporeale told reporters on Friday.
“He does make a difference for us.
“He’s ready to go … we would be comfortable to pick him for round one with the work that he has done but we are mindful that he hasn’t played for 12 months as well.”
The 25-year-old Crouch’s career has frequently been stalled by various injuries.
He has played 61 games since his 2013 AFL debut – Port Adelaide’s Ollie Wines also debuted that year and has played 129 games.
Camporeale said the Crows had not specified how much game time Crouch would get in a trial game also featuring Adelaide’s six draftees from last year – Chayce Jones, Ned McHenry, Will Hamill, Lachlan Sholl, Kieran Strachan and Jordon Butts.
“The guys we drafted, they haven’t played against men as such, they have come from the under 18 competition, so it has certainly been a step up for them,” Camporeale said.
Former Richmond forward Tyson Stengle and SANFL recruit Shane McAdam will also play in the practice match.
© AAP 2019
