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Crouch pair still on the outer

The Crows and Power have made minimal changes for their respective must-win matches, with Adelaide opting not to recall midfield duo siblings Brad and Matt Crouch to face the rampant GWS Giants, and Port bolstering its makeshift ruck division.

May 27, 2016, updated May 27, 2016
Brad Crouch (centre) and brother Matt (right) haven't played since Adelaide's loss to Geelong. Photo: Ben Macmahon, AAP.

Brad Crouch (centre) and brother Matt (right) haven't played since Adelaide's loss to Geelong. Photo: Ben Macmahon, AAP.

Port Adelaide’s only change was a forced one, summoning first-year ruckman Dougal Howard as a replacement for suspended Tom Jonas for Saturday’s clash against Melbourne in Alice Springs. Howard’s selection suggests a change of tack after the Power – whose ruck stocks have been decimated by an injury to Matthew Lobbe and season-long suspension of former Bomber Paddy Ryder – have thus far battled on with defender Jackson Trengove contesting recent hit-outs. But the challenge posed by dominant Demons big-man Max Gawn has seen the two-gamer Howard recalled for his biggest assignment thus far.

Adelaide has selected an unchanged lineup, raising eyebrows about its future plans for the key Crouch pair, with an underdone Brad dropped last week for poor form and Matt rested with “general soreness”.

David Noble, the club’s Head of Football, told their website a 75-point win over struggling Gold Coast made it hard to meddle with success, despite this weekend’s game against the AFL’s form side GWS, at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, being a very different proposition.

“It’s always hard to change a winning team and last week there were some positive signs in regards to the areas of our game we have been working on,” Noble said.

He said Brad would not be elevated – despite a 37-possession effort in Adelaide’s losing SANFL side last week, until selectors are satisfied he can “stay in the team for the long haul”. However he won’t have the chance to prove himself this week, with the state league team having its second bye in three weeks, to accommodate a showpiece State Game.

“Soreness forced Matt out of the team last week and we had lots of guys performing well so decided against making any changes, but we expect him to force his way back in very soon,” Noble continued.

Defender Luke Brown has overcome a rolled ankle injury sustained against the Suns, but fellow rebounding backman Rory Laird was considered to be lacking match fitness after almost a month on the sidelines with a broken toe.

Adelaide’s much-hyped forward line will benefit from the continued absence of former Crow Phil Davis, who failed to prove his fitness after a layoff with a hamstring strain, while the Giants have also lost concussed defender Matt Buntine and hamstrung Tim Mohr.

Instead, GWS bring in midfielder Jack Steele and utility Adam Tomlinson, who managed a whopping 52 touches in the NEAFL last weekend.

Port’s opponent Melbourne have recalled midfielder Dom Tyson and defender Neville Jetta after a two-match suspension, at the expense of Clayton Oliver (corked quad) and the omitted Viv Michie.

Meanwhile, damaging paceman Daniel Wells will return for unbeaten North Melbourne in tonight’s top-four-defining fixture against Sydney.

Wells, who has missed the past two games because of achilles soreness, and Sam Wright replace Aaron Mullett and Farren Ray, while the Swans have rewarded Harrison Marsh’s perseverance with an AFL debut.

Marsh was delisted at the end of 2015 after three years with Sydney, then re-drafted. He replaces Ted Richards (concussion).

Fremantle made five changes – four forced by injury – for its away match on Saturday against St Kilda.

The winless Dockers lost David Mundy (calf), Alex Pearce (Leg), Clancee Pearce (concussion), Ethan Hughes (calf) and dumped Zac Clarke.

Midfielders Michael Barlow and Stephen Hill are among the replacements.

In a shock Sunday selection move, Carlton named talls Matthew Kreuzer and Levi Casboult – despite both facing what were expected to be long layoffs after injuries against the Power a fortnight ago – in an extended squad to play Geelong.

-with AAP

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