ADELAIDE star Rory Sloane says the Crows need to take Hawthorn 'head on' if they are any chance of beating the runaway premiership favourite in next Saturday's preliminary final.

Sloane was instrumental in his team's comeback win over Fremantle on Friday night and faces another huge battle as part of Adelaide's midfield group against the Hawks.

The 22-year-old was part of the Crows team that lost to the Hawks by 56 points at the MCG in round three - the only meeting between the clubs in 2012.

"Their midfield is one of the best in the comp, if not the best," Sloane told Channel Seven.

"We have a really good midfield group and I think we're going to have to take them head on.

"We can't just shut out Mitchell or Sewell. They've got Lewis, they've got a lot of other guys that come through there and play well. I think we've got to take them on head-to-head.

"It's going to be a real team effort through the midfield."

Perhaps worryingly for Adelaide was the relative quiet games from Hawthorn's star midfielders in their round-three win over the Crows.

Sam Mitchell, who has topped 600 disposals for the season, managed just 20 touches and a goal, while Sewell, who was pivotal against Collingwood in the first week in the finals, had 16 touches against the Crows.

Luke Hodge did not play.

The Hawks won the possession count 407 to 304.

Crows defender Andy Otten underwent match simulation training in Adelaide on Saturday and Sloane said he was in the mix to replace the injured Sam Shaw.

"We've obviously lost a couple of young, key backman and 'Otto's' one that springs to mind that might be ready," Sloane said.

Otten, a key defender at 192cm, has played just five games under coach Brenton Sanderson; his last, Adelaide's 17-point victory over West Coast.

He was part of the side that lost to the Hawks in round three.