CROWS coach Neil Craig says it's possible star recruit Patrick Dangerfield could still play AFL this season, despite the 17-year-old living and studying at home in Victoria.

Craig made the comments after again being forced to defend the club’s decision to select Dangerfield ahead of local lad, Brad Ebert, who will make his AFL debut for West Coast against the Crows at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.

On Thursday West Coast forward Ashley Hansen said he hoped Ebert could show the Crows what “they missed out on” after the club overlooked Ebert at pick 10 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft.

“The best thing that can happen now is that we let both [Dangerfield and Ebert’s] careers unfold so that people can make their own judgements and there will be a lot of debate,” Craig said.

“It’s a great occasion for Brad, but hopefully we’ll be talking about that for the next ten years and that both guys can have long AFL careers.”

Dangerfield returned to Adelaide last week where he played his first game for SANFL club West Adelaide. The talented midfielder lined up in the Bloods’ reserves and was deemed by Adelaide officials to be a “class-above”.

Craig said the club stood by its decision to select the stay-at-home Dangerfield despite Adelaide’s mounting injury list.

“It's not out of the realms of possibilities for Pat Dangerfield to play AFL footy this year,” he said.

“He could play during school holidays and he doesn’t go to school on Saturdays.

“Just because he’s not here training week after week and playing in the SANFL doesn’t mean it limits his selection. His selection will be based on his form with West Adelaide in the SANFL and also with the Geelong Falcons.

“I’ve seen a fair bit of him on our training track to know that he’s got the quality to play AFL footy and it’s something for our supporters to look forward to.

“Even though the West Coast supporters get to see Brad this week, our supporters would certainly have an element of excitement in waiting to see Patrick Dangerfield because there is some excitement about him.”