ADELAIDE midfielder Brad Crouch took another step to getting back to his powerful best with an impressive performance in an under-23s trial against Port Adelaide at Thebarton Oval on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, in his first game since missing all of last year with a long-term groin injury, played all four quarters, splitting his time between an inside midfield role and the wing.
Crouch covered the ground well and showed he's on track to recapture his eye-catching form of 2017, when he averaged 28 disposals per game.
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"Fantastic for Brad to get continuity – he gets another full game against opposition and he'll progress to his next step, which is JLT one," Adelaide SANFL coach Heath Younie said.
"We didn't put a significant percentage on his game time, we just played him as normal, it was fantastic for him to get through the game."
Small forward Tyson Stengle was also a standout in his first appearance for his new club, kicking four goals after joining the Crows from Richmond during last year's NAB AFL Trade Period.
Mature-age recruit Shane McAdam, who arrived at the Crows from Sturt via Carlton as part of the Mitch McGovern deal, was dangerous in attack with three goals as both new players pushed their claims for senior selection.
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Small forward Lachlan Murphy was among the Crows' best, playing through the midfield, Riley Knight did plenty of work on the ball and defender Tom Doedee took some nice intercept marks.
However, it wasn't enough as the Power rallied from 34 points down to win 15.8 (98) to 13.9 (87).
Young Power midfielder Willem Drew did his chances of making a round one debut no harm as the replacement for injured co-captain Ollie Wines.
The 192cm Drew, who missed last year with an Achilles injury, extracted the ball strongly from stoppages and showed he can also hit the scoreboard, kicking three goals.
"To be able to have Willem go in and win his own footy and go forward and have a few shots at goal is very pleasing," Port Adelaide SANFL coach Matthew Lokan said.
"His ability to find the footy and cover the ground … he's one of our better runners and he had a really good game."
Experienced Power defender Matthew Broadbent, one of three over-age players in the side along with Sam Gray and Trent McKenzie, got another valuable run under his belt after missing last season with a serious ankle injury.
McKenzie copped a heavy knock in the third quarter from a marking contest and left the ground.
Prized recruit Ryan Burton spent a lot of time in the midfield in the first half before returning to defence after the main break.
First-round draft picks Xavier Duursma and Zak Butters showed plenty of promise, while rookie forward Tobin Cox was a nice surprise in attack.
Number five draft pick Connor Rozee copped a knock to his shoulder in the third quarter, but returned to kick a goal later in the term.
The only injury concern for the Crows was to forward Ben Davis, who jarred his knee, but the club was confident it was only minor.
The Crows were without under-23 players Wayne Milera (managed), Elliott Himmelberg (foot) and Andrew McPherson (groin), while Sam Powell-Pepper (AFLX), Dan Houston (managed), Riley Grundy (illness), Joe Atley (knee) and Sam Hayes (ACL) didn't play for the Power.
