Pyke tries his luck on pair

ADELAIDE coach Don Pyke concedes there’s some risk in playing leaders Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane in today’s AFL game against Greater Western Sydney.

Vice-captain Sloane missed the pre-season series after fracturing an eye socket at training last month.

And captain Walker suffered hamstring tightness in Adelaide’s last pre-season. But both have been named to front against the premiership favourite Giants in what looms as a spicy season opener for both clubs at Adelaide Oval.

Sloane is Adelaide’s best midfielder and will be an important aspect of the Crows’ attempts to nullify GWS’ talent-laden on-ball brigade.

“It would be ideal if he had a run (in pre-season games) but the circumstances didn’t allow that,” Pyke said.

Pyke has selected ex-GWS utility Curtly Hampton and ex-Carlton forward Troy Menzel to make their debut in Crows colours. Both were at the club last season but didn’t play a game and Pyke was rapt to reward Hampton with selection against his former club.