Defence bolstered

[Ricochet]

http://www.afc.com.au/news/2014-03-17/monday-report-defence-bolstered

Young defenders Sam Shaw, Rory Laird and Kyle Hartigan, and draftee Matt Crouch are all available for selection in Adelaide's season-opener against Geelong.

Shaw experienced hamstring tightness early in the first quarter of the Club's trial win over Greater Western Sydney and sat out the rest of the match as a precaution. Crouch made the trip to Blacktown, but withdrew from the team after coming down with tonsillitis. Hartigan (hamstring tightness) was rested in Adelaide"s last pre-season hit-out, but trained fully last week. Laird didn't play in any pre-season matches because of an adductor complaint but is also back in full training, giving the Crows match committee plenty to think about.

Richard Douglas (groin), Tom Lynch (shoulder) and Andy Otten (knee) are hopeful of recovering from their respective injuries sustained against GWS within a month.