Tall gets recall for Adelaide

ADELAIDE has named veteran tall Andy Otten to replace hamstrung forward Mitch McGovern for tonight’s preliminary final blockbuster with Geelong.

The Crows also regained Rory Sloane for the Adelaide Oval clash after he missed the qualifying final win over Greater Western Sydney following emergency appendix surgery.

Otten, 28, last played AFL level in the Round draw with Collingwood.

McGovern will push for a Grand Final recall, should the Crows win through.

Coach Don Pyke said of McGovern: “He was probably going to struggle this week — we’re hopeful he could be right for the following week.

“He’s made some progress since Saturday.

“It was a bridge too far for tomorrow night, but we remain hopeful. Should we progress, we’ll give him every chance.”

The Cats have made two unforced changes with Nakia Cockatoo and Tom Lonergan replacing James Parsons and Zach Guthrie.

Hamstring injuries have restricted Cockatoo to 10 games this season, having last played in Round 19.

Guthrie and Parsons are emergencies along with Jordan Murdoch, while the at 19 good Crows’ emergencies are Wayne Milera, Alex Keath and Reilly O’Brien.

In tomorrow’s match at the MCG, Richmond and Greater Western Sydney have gone with unchanged sides, which means GWS veteran Steve Johnson keeps his spot.

After missing the qualifying final loss to Adelaide, Johnson cast aside doubts about his troublesome knee and tapering form to kick six goals in last week’s big semi-final win over West Coast.

If the Giants contest the Grand Final, it would mark the first time Johnson would be asked to play three straight games since Round 9.

Devon Smith has missed both GWS finals with a knee injury but is named as an emergency for tomorrow, along with Harry Perryman and Sam Reid.

Shai Bolton, Corey Ellis and Shaun Hampson are the emergencies for Richmond.