Expect trial-game fireworks: Smith

Showtime: Sam Shaw (centre) with Brodie Smith (left) and Jason Porplyzia (right) go through their paces as competition for a spot in the best 22 begins to heat up. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE defender Brodie Smith has predicted fireworks at Friday's internal trial, describing competition for spots as being white hot.

While the loss of ace forward Kurt Tippett to Sydney has left a gaping hole in the Crows' attack, Smith forecast Brenton Sanderson's 2013 team will be harder to break into than the side that went within a kick of making last year's grand final.

Smith said the entire Adelaide squad achieved personal strength and running bests in the gym and on the track yesterday and that the players were already talking about how tough it would be to secure a spot in the best 22.

"Everyone's talking about the squad and how tough it's going to be (to get picked), with Crouchy (Brad Crouch) coming up and a lot of the young boys training really well, so it's going to be on for spots," the third-year running backman said.

"We've got fitter and stronger and match simulation has been pretty intense. Obviously this Friday it will go up another level in the intra-club and then through the NAB Cup when the young boys get their chance.

"It'll be pretty close to a game intensity. We've been holding back a bit on the track - obviously you don't want to get injured in pre-season but I think that'll be off the hook on Friday and everyone will go crashing in."

Not that the club's supporters will see it.

Adelaide's mid-morning trial will strangely be held behind closed doors as the club fine-tunes its game style and experiments with some positional moves before the new season.

Smith said he expected most in-house competition tocome for Tippett's spot in attack, where Josh Jenkins, Shaun McKernan, Lewis Johnston and Tom Lynch are fighting to be Taylor Walker's new right-hand man.

"Tex (Walker) is going really well and with those other guys down there I still think our forward line is going to be very strong," Smith said.

Adelaide is virtually injury free with every player expected to be fit by round one of the premiership season.

The biggest concern is bulldozing small forward Jared Petrenko, who had his dislocated shoulder reconstructed in the off-season.

However, he is ahead of schedule in his comeback and should be fit to play Essendon in round one on March 22.

Bernie Vince, who had a 57mm cyst removed from his shoulder blade in November, and key defender Sam Shaw (knee tendonitis) are making good progress from their injuries and should be available for the start of Adelaide's NAB Cup premiership defence at AAMI Stadium on February 17.

"Our boys really are looking good," Sanderson said.

"We've nearly got a full squad, so touch wood we keep the injury curse away and keep getting better."

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