NOVICE ruckman Reilly O'Brien has joined Adelaide's travelling squad to Sydney, but the Crows insist there's no alarm over their regular ruck duo for their semi-final.
O'Brien isn't among Adelaide's three emergencies for the SCG final against the Swans on Saturday night with the Crows saying he's travelling as insurance for lead tap-man Sam Jacobs and his ruck partner Josh Jenkins.
"The only time he gets a game is if Sam Jacobs does something in the warm-up or in training," Crows assistant coach James Podsiadly said at Adelaide Airport on Friday.
Jenkins has been carrying an ankle injury but was in no doubt for the knockout final, he said.
"He trained pretty solidly on Wednesday and he will train today again," Podsiadly said.
O'Brien, who made his AFL debut this year, was left out of Adelaide's official 25-man squad for the semi-final with Riley Knight, Paul Seedsman and Andy Otten named as emergencies.
Meanwhile, Adelaide won't be lured into the trap of focusing all its attention on Sydney Swans superstar Lance Franklin.
The Crows will hold a training session at the SCG on Friday afternoon to get used to the unique dimensions of the ground.
Greater Western Sydney held Franklin goalless in last weekend's qualifying final as he worked higher up the ground, but the former Hawthorn champion still poses the greatest threat going forward.
Podsiadly said it would be foolish to forget about the Swans' other attacking options.
"He's one of the premier players in the competition, so we definitely respect his talent and ability to change a game," Podsiadly said.
"We've done a fair bit of work into him, but we've also done a fair bit of work on their other forwards.
"A side coming off a loss with a proud history like Sydney, they're going to come out really hard and they're a contested side anyway.
"We're expecting the first 10-15 minutes of the game will be pretty hot and we've just got to match them in that area."
The Crows changed the dimensions of Football Park during their main training session on Wednesday to resemble the SCG, which has wide flanks and is short down the middle.
"Our game style and our structures won't change, but the fact there's a bit more space out on the wings and out on the half-forward flanks probably allows you to move the ball out more a bit more," Podsiadly said.
"The best thing about our group at the moment is we've had a lot of continuity and those forwards are pretty good at working together.
"Whether it's Subiaco, the SCG or Adelaide Oval, those guys don't normally get in each other's way."
The Crows are the leading attacking side in the competition, while the Swans possess one of the best backlines in the League.
But it's in tight where Podsiadly believes where the game will be won and lost.
"The contested situation (will be the key)," he said.
"A lot gets talked about Sydney's defence, but their offence is just as good as their defence.
"Their contested ball stuff is fantastic and they're an all-round brilliant side."