ADELAIDE assistant coach Mark Bickley is preparing for his toughest night at the selection table yet ahead of Saturday night’s clash with Fremantle at AAMI Stadium.

The Crows, who are shooting for seven straight wins, will make at least one change to the side that toppled Richmond after skipper Simon Goodwin got through Wednesday’s training session unscathed.
 
Goodwin hasn’t played since straining his medial ligament in round 10, but Bickley said the star veteran was likely to line-up in his 250th game this week.

“Simon’s had a few weeks on the sidelines now, so we really wanted to see how he touched the ball and he was pretty good today,” Bickley said after training on Wednesday.

“He’s the captain of our club and he was in good form before he went out of the side, so he’s a very strong possibility to play.”

Bickley also declared veteran forward Brett Burton to be a “big chance” to make his AFL return this week.

Burton, 31, booted four goals from 19 disposals in his comeback game with Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL on Sunday.

Sunday’s game was Burton’s first since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Collingwood in round 15 last season.

Bickley said there was no reason why Burton could not come into the Crows team on Saturday night.

“You might’ve thought Brett was going to come back pretty rusty and that it would take a couple of weeks for him to get back into it, but on the strength of his performance last week he’s a genuine candidate,” Bickley said.

“His touch was fantastic, he moved well and he pulled up really well. He’s probably been ready for two months in terms of physically being able to run and get involved in training.”

Taylor Walker (six goals) and Brent Reilly (46 disposals) are also pushing for AFL recalls after strong performances in the SANFL.

Bickley said it was important the match committee didn’t upset team balance at the selection table this week.

“It’s not just the fact that there are some players available to come back in. You’ve got to weigh up the fact that you’ve got guys who have played in positions for a couple of months now and are in good form. You don’t want to move everyone around just to fit these guys back in.”