ADELAIDE has named Patrick Dangerfield, Scott Thompson, Daniel Talia and Ben Rutten despite there being doubt surrounding their fitness.
The Crows have made just one change at this stage, with midfielder David Mackay to miss tonight’s game against Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval with a hamstring injury.
Crows Coach Brenton Sanderson said yesterday it would be “impossible” to keep Dangerfield out, while important midfielder Thompson and defender Rutten would be a game day decisions.
Rutten must pass another concussion test on Friday morning to play.
Sanderson said if Thompson doesn’t get up, he would be replaced by midfielder Matt Crouch who has been named as an emergency after picking up 42 possessions in the SANFL last weekend.
Rutten’s replacement will be Luke Thompson.
Mackay, while performing in the shadows of teammates like Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane and Scott Thompson is one of his side’s most important players.
An outside runner, Mackay is one of Adelaide’s prime ball users who rarely turns it over. He runs at 77.9 per cent efficiency from an average of 18.4 disposals - they love to get the footy in his hands to provide run through the midfield, ranked fifth at the club for uncontested possessions.
He is a ferocious tackler, ranked fourth at the Crows in that area with an average of 3.9 per game.
He is also ranked in the top 10 for disposals, contested possessions, clearances and rebound 50s. He has also contributed eight goals this year.
Round 17
Adelaide v Hawthorn
Friday 11 July
Adelaide Oval, 7.20pm
ADELAIDE
B Luke Brown, Daniel Talia, Ben Rutten
HB Brodie Smith, Andy Otten, Rory Laird
C Brodie Martin, Scott Thompson, Rory Sloane
HF Patrick Dangerfield, Josh Jenkins, Matthew Wright
F Eddie Betts, Taylor Walker, James Podsiadly
FOLL Sam Jacobs, Brad Crouch, Richard Douglas
I/C Matthew Jaensch, Tom Lynch, Jason Porplyzia, Ricky Henderson
EMG Luke Thompson, Jarryd Lyons, Matt Crouch
IN Jason Porplyzia
OUT David Mackay (Hamstring)
HAWTHORN
B Angus Litherland, Matt Spangher, Matthew Suckling
HB Luke Hodge, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall
C Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Liam Shiels
HF Paul Puopolo, Jack Gunston, Luke Breust
F Ryan Schoenmakers, Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis
FOLL Ben McEvoy, Shaun Burgoyne, Will Langford
I/C Taylor Duryea, Ben Ross, Jonathan Simpkin, Jonathon Ceglar
EMG Kyle Cheney, Alex Woodward, Luke Lowden
IN Ben McEvoy, Will Langford, Jonathan Simpkin
OUT David Hale (Omitted), Brad Sewell (Hamstring),Brian Lake (Suspension)
