ADELAIDE utility Scott Stevens says the club is keen to go the distance in this year's NAB Cup.

The Crows were bounced out of the 2009 pre-season competition in the first round by a Geelong side desperate for redemption in its first hit-out since the 2008 grand final loss to Hawthorn.

The draw has been kinder to Adelaide this summer, with the club scheduled to meet a developing Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Stevens said playing against genuine opposition - and staying alive in the NAB Cup - would be beneficial to Adelaide's preparation for the season proper.

"We're looking to win as many NAB Cup games as we can rather than go into the NAB Challenge series. Everyone that continues in the NAB Cup plays at a high standard," Stevens said on Monday.

"Often in the regional challenge series people are rested and you play at different venues. It's not imperative [to stay in the NAB Cup], but it's better than having to jet-set around the country and play at some of the regional venues."

Adelaide will be without several big names for Saturday's clash with the Power.

Midfielder Nathan van Berlo (back) is yet to complete a full training session and could miss the club's entire pre-season campaign.

Brad Moran (knee) is still two weeks away from playing and Brad Symes, who is recovering from knee surgery, has suffered another setback after being diagnosed with whooping cough.

Mercurial forward Jason Porplyzia (pelvis) will also sit out the twilight game.

Stevens predicted the injuries would create opportunities for young players such as Rory Sloane and Phil Davis.

"There's a lot of upside to a lot of guys who were only in their second or third year last year. There are also some new boys that are putting pressure on guys in the team to perform well," Stevens said.

"The older guys aren't getting any worse either. They're either maintaining [their form] or playing in different positions and working on some different things."

Stevens, 28, has become accustomed to playing in different positions during his 10-year career.

He said he expected to continue in a swingman role this season, despite a permanent spot in defence opening up with an ACL injury to Andy Otten.

"We haven't done selection this week or for the season, so we haven't spoken about where I'll play. I was playing in the same team as Andy last year and I'll play where I'm told to," he said.

"It's definitely a possibility that I'll play in defence more, but there were games last year where I played down back with all those boys and games where I was used forward. It just depends on who we're playing and what week it is."