VETERAN inside midfielder Scott Thompson looks set to return to the senior line up against Melbourne on Saturday, boosting Adelaide's ability to win the crucial hard ball.

Thompson was dominant in the club's SANFL loss last weekend with 29 possessions, 11 tackles and nine clearances.

The 32-year-old's specialty happens to be an area rated by coach Phil Walsh as the club's most critical.

Where contested possession encompasses a range of statistics, Walsh's "ground ball differential" is simply determined by a player putting his head over the football and winning it.

Walsh listed winning hard possession as key to beating the Demons, as Greater Western Sydney proved in the second half last week.

The Demons controlled the opening half but the Giants stormed home to win by 45 points.

They also won in the clearances, tackles, contested possession and hit-outs.

Thompson would come under "strong consideration" to return to Adelaide's side, Walsh said.

"On the weekend I thought GWS got on top at stoppage in the second half.

"I'm sure they would have done a lot of work on that, Melbourne, this week.

"A Paul Roos' team will defend really hard and the thing I've seen from them this year, they've actually added a bit of offence to their style as well.

"We'll be challenged on Saturday."

While Thompson's selection lies in Walsh's hands, the coach insisted he'd play no part in picking defender Brodie Smith after his concussion last weekend.

Smith has trained lightly this week but the decision to play or rest him against the Demons would be made solely by doctors on Thursday.

"If he's no good today I'll just go with what the doctor says, I'm not going to wait until Saturday morning," Walsh said.

"It's a hot topic, particularly in America – we default to our doctors in that regard.

"I won't even get into the conversation."