All-Australian defender Brodie Smith will make his return to senior football in Saturday’s Showdown against Port Adelaide.

The Crows playing group were informed of Smith’s inclusion by coach Don Pyke in their team meeting at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday morning.

The 26-year-old last pulled on an AFL guernsey in the 2017 Qualifying Final win over Greater Western Sydney, where he cruelly ruptured his ACL in the opening quarter.



Smith has impressed in two games for Adelaide’s SANFL side, collecting 25 disposals against Central District before backing up with 32 touches against North Adelaide last weekend to go with seven marks, six inside 50s , five rebound 50s and two score assists.

"I thought he was ready two months ago, the way he was zipping around at training and his intensity and the way he was kicking the ball and moving across the ground," midfielder Bryce Gibbs told reporters on Wednesday.

"It's like he hadn't been injured.

"He's played some really good footy at SANFL level and with what I've seen with his application to his training and his rehab over the time over the last 12 months, I've got no doubt he'll be ready to go."

Pyke will need to make at least one more change at the selection table this week, with Paul Seedsman (hamstring) and Kyle Cheney (suspension) both to miss the Showdown.