Top Crows draftee Fischer McAsey will have an opportunity to cement a Round One berth after being named at centre half-back for Friday’s Marsh Community Series game against Gold Coast.

Coach Matthew Nicks announced McAsey’s likely selection at the Crows’ Annual Members Meeting on Monday, with the 18-year-old to partner Daniel Talia in Adelaide’s back six at Flinders University Stadium in Noarlunga.

Nicksy reveals young defender Fischer McAsey is set to be one of the 22 to face the Suns.#weflyasone #AFCMediaLIVE pic.twitter.com/sm3EVwdzF7 — Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) March 2, 2020

McAsey faces a tough initiation against the Suns, who boast a plethora of tall forward options including first-round draft picks Sam Day (197cm), Ben King (202cm) and Peter Wright (203cm).

Crows Head of Football Adam Kelly said last year’s No.6 draft pick deserved his place in the side.

“Fischer hasn’t put a foot wrong all pre-season and has earned his spot. He’s not only a great football talent but has great character as well,” Kelly said.

“It’s really exciting to see Fish and several other young guys get their chance to really press their cases for spots in our Round One team.”

McAsey won’t be the only inexperienced Crow going into Friday’s clash, with Adelaide’s forward line, in particular, featuring a number of players with limited AFL exposure.

Darcy Fogarty will partner Tom Lynch in Adelaide's forward line against Gold Coast.

The likes of Ben Crocker, Ben Davis, Darcy Fogarty and Tyson Stengle will all be looking to impress the coaching staff in the lead-up to Adelaide’s season opener against Sydney on Saturday, March 21.



“It will be a new-look forward line packed with plenty of energy,” Kelly said.

“We saw Darcy Fogarty in the back end of last season show he belonged at AFL level. Tyson Stengle has had an outstanding pre-season, while you have to give real credit to Ben Crocker.

“Crock came across from Collingwood, put his head down and worked extremely hard to put himself in this position and he is getting reward for his effort."

A number of experienced players will have their first full hit-outs of the pre-season, headlined by the four Crows who pulled on the boots for the AFL’s bushfire relief game last Friday in Rory Sloane, Brodie Smith, Rory Laird and Walker.

Rory Sloane will be back in the tricolours after representing Victoria in last Friday's AFL State of Origin game.

Sloane and Laird did play in Adelaide’s opening pre-season fixture against Melbourne but were on managed minutes with both registering under a half of football against the Demons.

Wingman Paul Seedsman will also play his first Marsh Series game of 2020.

The Crows have named a 26-man squad and eight-man interchange bench, but are expected to go into Friday’s clash with 22 players.

Adelaide will face Gold Coast at Noarlunga on Friday with first bounce at 4.20pm ACDT. The game will be broadcast live on Kayo, Fox Footy and the AFL Live Pass.

Crows Members with Premiership Season game access will have free general admission access. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster.

Adelaide’s Marsh Community Series squad is:

B: J. Kelly, D. Talia, R. Laird

HB: L. Brown, F. McAsey, W. Milera

C: P. Seedsman, B. Crouch, R. Atkins

HF: T. Lynch, T. Walker, B. Davis

F: T. Stengle, D. Fogarty, L. Murphy

FOLL: R. O’Brien, M. Crouch, R. Sloane

INT: C. Jones, B. Gibbs, M. Poholke, W. Hamill, B. Crocker, B. Smith, E. Himmelberg, J. Butts

Emergencies: D. Mackay, K. Hartigan, B. Frampton, S. McAdam