Adelaide midfielder Hugh Bond will make his debut against St Kilda on Saturday night.
Bond - who was taken with Pick 50 in the 2022 National Draft - has impressed since joining the Crows at SANFL level and is being rewarded with a strong patch of form.
Renowned for his toughness, the Vic Country product has followed in the footsteps of fellow debutants Dan Curtin, Billy Dowling and Zac Taylor in 2024 as coach Matthew Nicks continues to offer new looks across the field.
Bond has featured in 12 games in the reserves competition, averaging 12.5 disposals, 3.1 marks, 1.8 tackles and 2.8 rebound 50s, hinting at his assistance in the defensive half.
Hugh Bond will make his AFL debut against the Saints this weekend! Congrats, Bondy ๐ฅณ๐
Details: https://t.co/DULdVmZ0qJ pic.twitter.com/OvKswpEUpl
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) July 10, 2024
The 19-year-old's first game comes as both Izak Rankine (suspension) and Mitch Hinge (adductor) are out of the senior side, opening vacancies in both the midfield and halfback.
Rankine was whacked with a four-game sanction for his off-the-ball hit on Brisbane defender Brandon Starcevich, while Hinge was ruled out after experiencing soreness.
