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Adelaide could plump for an Irishman or an Egypt-born defender to fill a void left by a concussion to Jordon Butts.
Butts will miss the Crows’ crucial game against Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Sunday after being injured in Saturday’s 66-point win over North Melbourne.
Adelaide’s selectors will consider Irish import Mark Keane and the Egypt-born James Borlase, who are filling key backline roles at state level.
Keane joined the Crows in January after playing five games for Collingwood between 2019-21 while Borlase, in his third year at Adelaide, is yet to feature at AFL level.
“They have both got unique skill sets,” Adelaide assistant coach Nathan van Berlo told reporters on Monday.
“They’re both big strong boys. It’s not always going to be a case of like-for-like, but those two are certainly doing all they can.”
Van Berlo said the Crows would weigh up whether to summon a smaller or hybrid-style defender to a fixture vital for both clubs’ finals chances.
Adelaide and Essendon have both won eight games this season, with the Crows holding seventh spot on the ladder by percentage from the eighth-placed Bombers.
“Every week from here on in is going to be important,” van Berlo said.
“We know we’re right in the hunt at the moment and it’s right where we want to be, to be honest.
“Obviously we know they are sitting right next to us on the ladder. It’s a really important game.”
The Crows have won just once – a last-gasp three-point triumph over lowly Hawthorn in Tasmania in round six – from six away games.
Van Berlo said rectifying the poor record on the road was Adelaide’s “next frontier”.
“We showed a couple of weeks ago against Collingwood at the ‘G that we’re up for the challenge,” he said, referrring to a two-point loss to the Pies on June 25.
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“Hopefully we can take that next step this weekend.
“What we’ve got great confidence out of now is that we know our best footy is more than good enough to mix it with anyone in the comp.”
Pain not over for young Eagles despite brave effort
West Coast coach Adam Simpson says the pain isn’t over yet despite his young side producing one of its bravest displays in years in their eight-point AFL loss to St Kilda.
The loss of Tim Kelly and Luke Edwards before Sunday’s match due to illness meant West Coast had just 23 fit players to pick from – a week after the team crumpled to a 171-point loss to Sydney at the SCG.
Despite the huge obstacles and being forced to field a side with seven teenagers, a brave West Coast shot out to a shock 31-point lead against St Kilda in a display that was full of spirit and fight.
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The Saints eventually wrested back control and went on to kick the last four goals of the match to snare the 12.13 (85) to 12.5 (77) win.
But West Coast’s spirited display has raised hopes they can be competitive for the remainder of the season, and maybe even avoid the wooden spoon.
Their renewed vigour will be put to the test on Saturday when they confront Brisbane at the Gabba.
Hear from young forward Noah Long after our round 16 match against the Saints. pic.twitter.com/QhoONcvC8f
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) July 3, 2023
“I think there was an opportunity lost,” Simpson said of the loss to St Kilda, which was West Coast’s 13th in a row.
“We had a couple of chances late to be within a kick. So we’re not high-fiving.
“But I think everyone can appreciate a better result and better effort than (against Sydney).
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“It does feel like we’ve had a win just being competitive, which is – I hate to say it – but I suppose it’s a step forward.
“We were really disappointed (against Sydney) and understand the criticism, but the pain is not over. So we’ve just got to keep working hard.”
Kelly is expected to return against the Lions, and star defender Jeremy McGovern could join him in the side in what would be a huge boost.
McGovern hasn’t played since tearing his hamstring in round three, and his expected return a fortnight ago was postponed after he pulled up sore from training.
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) July 2, 2023
“It’s been 14 weeks, so I’m hoping he’s available and let’s see how we go.”
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Forward Jack Darling is in some doubt after being subbed out against St Kilda with a sore right shoulder.
“It was a reluctant sub. I don’t think he was too happy about it, but he clearly couldn’t compete to the level,” Simpson said.
“I thought he started really well, he’s been under some duress as well, so I thought for the most part he gave everything.
“And then it was just too sore and we had we had to sub him.”
Simpson praised Luke Shuey for going “turbo” against the Saints, with the skipper tallying eight tackles alone in the first quarter on the way to 28 disposals and eight clearances.
