ADELAIDE will field two debutants in Friday night's round one clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Exciting forward Darcy Fogarty and medium-sized defender Tom Doedee will run out for their first games.

Fogarty, 18, was the 12th overall pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft and pushed his claims with an impressive performance against Port Adelaide in the JLT Community Series, booting three first-half goals.

Fogarty – a strong-marking forward - comes into the side to replace Crows skipper Taylor Walker, who will miss the clash with the Bombers with a foot injury.

"It's always exciting when you deliver news to guys who are making their debut," Crows coach Don Pyke told FIVEaa.

"In the case of Darcy, who is a young man who comes in as a genuine footballer, he's been able to string together some good footy and training in the last six or seven weeks.

"He's obviously got that edge of nerves as you do before your first game.

"It's going to be a big one for him and for our footy club."

Doedee, 21, was a surprise selection when he was taken with the 17th overall pick of the 2015 draft.

He had an injury-interrupted first season with the Crows, but developed nicely last year and was the leading intercept marker in the SANFL.

He fills the role in the Crows' defence left vacant by Jake Lever's departure to Melbourne.

"Tom is a great story for us, a guy who's really put the shoulder to the wheel and earnt his opportunity and it's great reward for the work he's put in," Pyke said.

"After playing some good football in the SANFL and being close a couple times last year, he left really determined to make sure he didn't miss a beat, and he hasn't for the whole pre-season.

"He's improved his fitness, that's improved other areas of his game, he's got continuity in training and he's grown some real confidence out of that."

It's the first time the Crows have fielded two debutants in round one since Wayne Milera and Mitch McGovern played their first games to start the 2016 season.

The Crows will have at least five changes to their Grand Final side.

Jake Lever (Melbourne) and Charlie Cameron (Brisbane) have left the club, while Brad Crouch (groin), Riley Knight (ankle) and skipper Taylor Walker (foot) are out injured.

"It's a great opportunity for other guys," Pyke said.

"We bring in (Bryce) Gibbs and (Sam) Gibson, experienced players and get (Mitch) McGovern, who didn't play in the Grand Final.

"We've got a really good list, we've had a great pre-season and we head into Friday night excited about getting going for real."