ADELAIDE'S quest to emulate the versatility of the reigning premiers will get its first test in Friday night's JLT Community Series clash with Richmond at Etihad Stadium.
The Crows have preached the need for more players to run through the midfield, copying what the Western Bulldogs successfully employed last season.
"If you have the same guys rolling through there, you can become a bit predictable," Crows defender Brodie Smith said on Monday.
"The Bulldogs last year did it really well and always had a number of guys rolling through there and always seemed to be fresh during games and hard to run down.
"That is the direction we'll try and take."
Former Greater Western Sydney defender Curtly Hampton, veteran midfielder Richard Douglas and half-back flanker Rory Laird are among those who have switched it up.
"Curtly Hampton has moved up to midfield and trained really well," Smith said.
"Richard Douglas has done some stuff down back and really impressed.
"Rory Laird has done a little bit of midfield stuff as well.
"It's working well in pre-season, but I guess you never know until you put it out on the park."
The Crows held four quarters of match simulation training at Football Park last Friday.
"Charlie Cameron spent a little bit of time on the wing and in the guts and up forward and was at his electrifying best, so it's really good signs going into this year," Smith said.
The downside was a fractured eye socket to star midfielder Rory Sloane after a collision with key forward Josh Jenkins.
Sloane will miss the entire JLT Community Series, but the Crows expect the All Australian vice-captain to be fit for their round one clash with the Giants at Adelaide Oval.
"It was an incident, him and JJ came together, and he came off worse for wear," Smith said.
"Rory is one of the premier midfielders in the competition.
"It's unfortunate for an incident like that to happen close to the start of the season, but we'd rather it happen now than during the year.
"He's got a few weeks to get himself right and hopefully will be there in round one."
The Crows will also be without defender Jake Lever for three weeks with a hamstring strain, while midfielder Brad Crouch is in doubt for round one, also with a hamstring injury.
Veteran onballer Scott Thompson will play a limited part during the JLT Community Series as he returns from a shoulder injury.
"He's doing some footy drills now," Smith said of Thompson.
"Obviously they're going pretty easy on him.
"He knows his body really well and he'll take all the time he needs."
Smith said he expected the Crows would use the pre-season competition as an opportunity to take a look at players who were on the fringes last year.
"I'd imagine you'll see some younger guys get a crack," he said.
"If we're going to go that next level, we're going to need them to step up this year."
AFL and club access members will have free general admission entry to JLT Community Series matches in which their club is competing (subject to availability, upgrade fees may be applicable). Click here to learn more.
