Crows in SANFL 2014

Here's a rough idea of a Crows team for Round 1, presuming all available.


Shaw.    McKernan.        Callinan

Mackay.   Johnston.         Jaensch

Martin.     Kerridge.         Smith

Ellis-Yolmen.  Hartigan.    Reilly

Thompson.    Siggins.       Battersby

Graham
Wright
M Crouch


Int:  Knight, Osborn, Spina, Kelly, Atkins

Positions would obviously be different, this is just for a first look.

If Reilly, Mackay and Johnston are all fit they will surely be in the senior team.

Fair enough, but then maybe Jenkins and 2 other good players would play SANFL.

Injuries would make a big difference to these sides.

Id probably swap the 2 key forwards listed.

I also think, that Smith, if fit, is a definite first 22 player (in the AFL side).

Just looking at players I know a bit about. I suspect Jack Penfold would be more likely to get a game than Matt Thompson. Jack played in Sturt's reserves this year and came close to getting a league game. He's a hard worker, on and off the track and would be super fit. Matt is coming from a bush competition and fitness was his weakness when he was at Sturt. Mind you, if he's seen the light in that regard, he's certainly got the ability.

Former Central defender Paul Marschall is officially in the Crows Development squad in season 2014...

http://www.afc.com.au/news/2014-03-31/young-gun-joins-crows

I see that back in December, I mentioned Jack Penfold as a likely starter for the Crows reserves side. His form for Sturt has been outstanding in the trials and he's a certain starter for our league side right now. I've been informed that so long as these "loan" players, for want of a better term, are selected in their SANFL club's league team, that club has first priority to their services.

Two weeks into the season and the AFC seem to have a long injury list, requiring the use of top up players,


Richard Douglas Groin surgery Pre-season Round 2
Ricky Henderson Broken fibula Pre-season Indefinite
Tom Lynch Shoulder dislocation Pre-season Round 5
Andy Otten Strained lateral ligament (knee) Pre-season Round 5
James Podsiadly Mild right elbow strain Round 1 Week 2 Round 2
Nathan Van Berlo Ruptured achilles tendon Pre-season Indefinite
Taylor Walker Knee reconstruction Season 2013 Indefinite

Can add Crouch to that list, but probably remove Douglas and Podsiadly

It will be interesting to see if Adelaide and Port treat their Reserves teams in similar fashion to the SANFL teams in terms of emergencies being held back from SANFL participation.