Adelaide to regain Edwards

ADELAIDE will receive a boost ahead of its clash with Geelong at Skilled Stadium on Saturday with veteran Tyson Edwards set to return from a hamstring injury.

Edwards, 32, suffered a slight hamstring strain at training two weeks ago, but increased his workload late last week and is good to go.

The news wasn’t quite so good for young midfielder David Mackay, who will miss at least another week with a hamstring strain.

Mackay could be joined on the sidelines by Andy Otten and Brodie Martin.

Otten suffered a corked thigh early in Sunday’s 70-point win over Port Adelaide and Martin was also resigned to the bench after landing awkwardly on his knee.

Both players are listed as a ‘test’ but could struggle to make the trip to Geelong given the six-day turnaround.

Otten's injury could open the door for Adelaide’s seventh debutant of the season.

First-round draft pick Phil Davis put in another solid performance in the SANFL on Saturday and his North Adelaide teammate Tony Armstrong continued his consistent year with another 25 possessions.

Taylor Walker, who was omitted from the side in round 14, booted 7.4 from 18 possessions and also laid three tackles in Norwood’s big win over South Adelaide.

Adelaide full-back Ben Rutten said the coaches had been pleased with Walker’s all-round performance.

“He [Walker] kicked seven goals and took some good contested marks, which is what we’ve been looking for from Taylor,” Rutten said on Monday.

“He knows that’s the area he needs to improve on to get back into the team. Seven goals and some good contested marks aren’t going to do his chances any harm”.

The Cats, who have dropped two games in the past month, suffered two major injury blows in Saturday’s thrilling win over Hawthorn losing key defenders Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor to groin injuries.

Steve Johnson remains in doubt with a hip complaint and there have been lingering clouds over the fitness of star trio Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel and Cameron Ling.

Rutten denied the Crows were getting Geelong at a good time.

“Geelong has still been able to win despite all the injuries,” Rutten said.

“In the last quarter against Hawthorn they were undermanned and it just showed the quality of their group and their depth. They’re going to be a tough match-up.”

Adelaide failed its biggest test of the season against St Kilda at Docklands two weeks ago and will be out to do better against the second-placed Cats.

Rutten said the Crows would attempt to assert their style of play early in the game.

“St Kilda dictated to us a bit when we played them, but on the weekend our pressure at the ball carrier and some of our execution and ability to finish the play was really good. That’s something we need to make sure we do for four quarters.”