Adelaide coach Neil Craig is now convinced the gifted forward is ready to play after he improved over successive weeks against Geelong, West Coast and a second-string Hawthorn, against whom he kicked four goals in Berri on Saturday.
Having insisted that Hentschel would be forced to earn his spot irrespective of sentiment, Craig was able to indicate that the 26-year-old had done so.
"Trent's got better each week," Craig said on Thursday.
"He would only need to continue his form (and) the reality is he would play for us.
"He was exceptional last week, even considering the opposition."
Adelaide's final warm-up fixture before the Magpies sets them up against the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium on Friday night, and Craig said he was seeking to settle his team.
Also important are the performances of young players who are likely to need to deputise for Ben Rutten (knee), Jason Porplyzia (shoulder) and Nathan van Berlo (foot) in the season's early weeks as all recover from injury.
"We've got Jarrhan Jacky playing in the position maybe Jason Porplyzia would be in - it doesn't mean we can't play both of them but for Jarrhan to be playing really well it'd be great for him and could cement him a spot in the side," Craig said.
"Most of our younger guys putting their hands up for selection have been in really good form. Jacky, Jared Petrenko, James Sellar has taken another step forward, Rory Sloane, Andy Otten, Taylor Walker, so the heat's on, which is good internally."
Dream Team watch - Trent Hentschel is rated a $122,700 forward in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.
