ADELAIDE defender Brodie Smith will play his first game of the season as one of several reinforcements for Saturday's Showdown 45 with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
Smith, NAB AFL Rising Star contender Tom Doedee (concussion) and veterans Richard Douglas (ankle) and David Mackay (ribs) got through training on Wednesday.
Smith, 26, has impressed in his two SANFL games after he was sidelined for 10 months recovering from a torn ACL sustained in last year's qualifying win against Greater Western Sydney.
FROM THE TWOS Crows star shines again in SANFL
Crows coach Don Pyke gave Smith the good news in front of the playing group on Wednesday.
"In this room about 11 months ago, there was a young man who was pretty devastated about what happened at the end of last year for him, so I'm happy to let you know that he's back," Pyke said, in a video released on the Crows' website.
"Smithers, mate, seriously, life throws challenges at you, and I know last year was pretty tough for you, given how we were tracking and where we ended up going, but the way you attacked your rehab allows you to be in the position to play footy this year, which is sensational and it's great to have you back.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you bouncing off the back half."
Smith has played 143 games for the Crows and was an All Australian in 2014.
The Crows will be forced into a couple of changes to replace injured winger Paul Seedsman (hamstring) and suspended defender Kyle Cheney.
Forward Mitch McGovern trained on Wednesday as he aims to prove he's recovered from a shoulder injury.
Finals appear to be a long shot for the 12th-placed Crows, but Gibbs – who will play his 250th game on Saturday – said they haven't given up hope.
The Crows are two wins outside the top eight with four games remaining.
"For us, it (the Showdown) is our season," Gibbs said.
"We've got to win all our games to make finals and that's all we've got to do, it's pretty plain and simple for us.
"Until it's absolutely, mathematically impossible that we can't get there, we think our season's still alive."
Gibbs leapt to the defence of skipper Taylor Walker in wake of suggestions he should be replaced as Crows captain.
"He does a fantastic job as captain and he sets the standard," Gibbs said.
"He's very well respected within the four walls and he's got an aura about him.
"When he speaks and explains something, everyone listens and does what he says, because he's got that presence about him."
Gibbs is one of four Crows to play every game this season in his first year at the club after coming across in a trade from Carlton at the end of last year.
The 29-year-old has been a consistent performer, averaging 26.1 disposals and 5.5 clearances per game, but admitted there were areas of his game he had to work on.
"I probably lacked a little bit of zip from stoppages at times and I've been well aware of that and working on that," Gibbs said.
"I feel that I've been getting that done.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed (my first year at the Crows).
"It's been a bit of an up and down year for the footy club, but there's still four weeks to go and anything can happen."
