Track watch: Crows selection hint following Keane injury

Nick Murray looks set for increased responsibility for Adelaide in 2026 following Mark Keane's pre-season ankle injury.

The 195cm key defender played on the 'A' team during the Crows' internal match on Friday evening at Port Augusta.

The 25-year-old is a skilful defender and could have an extended opportunity in the lineup with Keane not expected to return until about halfway through the season.

He has played 67 games through five seasons, but he has never managed more than 17 in a year.

He played 10 games last year, including both of the Crows' finals, but he only came into the team following an injury to Jordon Butts.

With Butts fit to start 2026, he may have been squeezed out of the lineup, but the Keane injury has opened a door for him. 

Adelaide's ball movement and forward 50 marking was the highlight of the match. 

All of Taylor Walker, Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty took strong marks and dominated their direct opponents.

The trio were beneficiaries of quick ball movement as the Crows took territory from the back half to give their imposing tall targets isolated one-on-one contests.

Sam Berry was also impressive, gathering plenty of the footy and powering through traffic in the midfield, complementing the class of Jordan Dawson, while Josh Rachele also ran through the middle and was a stylish link-up player in the front half.

SSP trialist Zac Foot was another to get midfield minutes and was ultra-impressive.

With Tom McGuane having been released earlier this month, the versatile Southport 2025 best and fairest is the front runner to get the open list spot.

Those on-ballers were serviced by Lachie McAndrew, who stamped his authority as the club's number one ruck, using the ruck rule changes to his advantage by leaping high and getting first hands to the footy. 

A surprise packet was Tom Bell, an athletic defender who has been recruited to the Crows' SANFL side from East Fremantle.

He has trained full time with the club across summer and impressed club insiders.

Other standouts were the aerial work of Toby Murray, the intercepting of Wayne Milera and sizzle of Izak Rankine.