Young Adelaide ace Dan Curtin is set for significant midfield exposure in Sunday's clash with Essendon at Marvel Stadium.
Speaking on SA Grandstand on Saturday morning, Adelaide head of footy confirmed the move, with the eighth selection in 2023 draft mostly playing on a wing so far in his career.
"It's the first time we've gone into a game with a plan for him to start midfield. It'll be exciting to see what he can do in there," he said.
The widespread expectation has always been the imperious 197cm lefty will become a midfielder long-term, and the Bombers loom as an ideal opponent to ease him into the engine room given their struggles in 2026.
Across 44 games, he has averaged a reasonably modest 13 disposals and four marks but has shown glimpses of his frightening potential, playing his best footy at the end of last year's home and away season.
Kelly also noted ruck Lachie McAndrew has had his minutes managed in recent weeks after playing every game this year in a side which goes into games with McAndrew as the solitary ruck.
He had 55 per cent time on ground against Gold Coast three games ago and has been in the mid-70s for the four games on either side of that.
This year is McAndrew's first full year of AFL footy having been a backup at Sydney for many seasons.
