The loss of Kurt Tippett in attack and Michael Doughty in defence left positions vacant ahead of 2013 and defender Brent Reilly has admitted it's affecting the players.
It follows coach Brenton Sanderson's declaration there was an attitude problem at the Crows after their 63-point loss to the Cats.
"I think a lot of the boys are just trying to get a game for round one and they're showing there's a bit of pressure on them," Reilly said.
"This week [against Carlton on Friday night] we need to play as a team and play good team defence and that will help on the scoreboard."
Despite its best side not finalised and the season opener against Essendon on March 22 looming, Reilly denies Adelaide's team is unstable.
"We're not unsettled I just think we need to get our team defence together," Reilly said.
"[Michael Doughty] is going to be a massive loss for us, he took the key small forward … I don't think we are going to replace him.
"Sando's given the younger guys a go … and this week we've got our full-strength team in … 'Tarls' (Daniel Talia) is back tomorrow night and 'Shawry' (Sam Shaw) is back too, so there's no excuses now."
Victory on Friday night against a Carlton unit missing Chris Judd was vital for the Crows to hit season 2013 in solid form, Reilly said.
"We've been out of form a little bit this year already, but we're looking forward to tomorrow night and Carlton are a good team and we need to have a win.
"We haven't had our full team in until tomorrow night … we've got one more game to go until round one so it's going to be a good show tomorrow night."
Brent Reilly is a defender in AFL Fantasy. He averaged 79.18 points in 2012. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub .
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry
