Crows roll dice on Sloane, Walker in AFL
Mar 25, 2017 - 2:16 AM Adelaide coach Don Pyke concedes there's some risk in playing leaders Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane in Sunday's AFL game against Greater Western Sydney.Vice-captain Sloane missed the entire pre-season series after fracturing an eye socket in a training mishap last month.
And captain Walker suffered hamstring tightness in Adelaide's last pre-season
But both have been named to front against the premiership favourite Giants in what looms as a spicy season opener for both clubs at Adelaide Oval.
Sloane is Adelaide's best midfielder and will be an important aspect of the Crows' attempts to nullify GWS' talent-laden onball brigade.
"It would be be ideal if he had a run (in pre-season games) but the circumstances didn't allow that," Pyke said.
"We're talking about a two-time best and fairest winner. A nearly 150-game player.
"So he has got experience, (is) elite in terms of his fitness and his preparation. He has done a mountain of work.
"It comes with some risk but we're comfortable in that space.
"The indications are there are no restrictions of the game time of Sloaney or Tex (Walker)."
Pyke has selected to players - ex-GWS utility Curtly Hampton and ex-Carlton forward Troy Menzel - to make their AFL debut in Crows coloiurs.
Both were at the club last season but didn't play an AFL game and Pyke was rapt to reward Hampton with selection to play against his former club.
"It's a credit to him because he has really worked hard through the off-season and the pre-season," Pyke said.
"His form through the (pre-season series) has been really pleasing ... it's fantastic for him, his first game for the footy club happens to be against his former club.
"I know he's really excited and looking forward to the opportunity."
The Giants will also give a club debut to former Fremantle utility Tendai Mzungu and have also handed an AFL debut to 19-year-old Tim Taranto.
Source: AAP
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