FORMER Adelaide captain Nathan van Berlo hasn't been tossed on the scrapheap, coach Don Pyke says.

Van Berlo is the sole player axed from the Crows team to play arch rivals Port Adelaide on Saturday.

"I don't think it's ruthlessness, it's more just a reality of selection," Pyke told reporters on Friday.

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Van Berlo has been replaced by defender Kyle Hartigan in what Pyke said was a move to combat Port's tall forward line.

"For Nathan it's more about just going back (to the SANFL) and playing his role and playing the way we know he's capable," Pyke said.

"I'm not sitting here saying Nathan is terribly out of form.

"Nathan played reasonably last week and was pretty good for our NAB Challenge period.

"For him it's now about going back and continuing to build on that and push his name up again as early as next week."

Van Berlo felt the squeeze as Pyke and his match committee pondered Adelaide's healthy playing list - 20 Crow-listees will play in state league ranks this weekend.

"Clearly there is pressure on guys to continue to perform to keep their spot and that is healthy," Pyke said.

Pyke is head coach for the first time in a Showdown - a meeting of home-town rivals the West Australian rates similar to Perth's derbies.

"It is an enemy but it is a natural enemy in your own town." Pyke said.

"They are great games. They come with a high level of excitement, anticipation from the fans and the players, and we expect no different tomorrow."