ADELAIDE midfielder Rory Sloane expects the Crows to have a fierce battle with Port Adelaide in Showdown XL on Saturday as new coach Don Pyke's influence takes effect.

The 26-year-old told AFL.com.au the Crows players had quickly bought into the plans of the first-time coach and long-time football person, and would play well in the much-hyped game.

"We're definitely on the right track. Don's fitted in so well," Sloane said.

"He has created such a positive working environment."

With skipper Taylor Walker set to play after participating in Adelaide's main training session on Wednesday, Sloane said the Crows were determined to atone for their opening-round loss to North Melbourne.

"A couple of key contests or critical moments really let us down. Giving away a couple of free kicks and a couple of 50s (50-metre penalties) probably really hurt us in the end," Sloane said.

Sloane has played in eight Showdowns, and says you can either enjoy the hype or try to block it out.

He's found a routine by now, fitting in a surfing session before winding down and relaxing towards the end of the week.

He's also started a business to keep his mind occupied away from football with the most unlikely of business partners – Kane Cornes.

It prompts an immediate yet obvious question: How could an Adelaide midfielder go into business with a man who had been a Crows' nemesis for so long?

After all, retired Port Adelaide tagger Cornes had harassed every Crow he got near in 27 Showdowns, and Sloane had been unlucky enough to never take the field in a Showdown without the man who wore No.18 in 300 games working for the opposition.

But at the start of this season, the 26-year-old and his partner, Belinda, went into business with Cornes and his wife, Lucy. Cornes and Sloane is a digital advertising business connecting brands with content to promote businesses and campaigns.

Sloane can laugh at the irony of the situation.

"We spent years throwing eggs at each other's houses but then we finally got involved in business together," he said.

"Lucy and Belinda are the key drivers of the business at the moment. Kane (with media commitments and the fire brigade) and I (as a full-time footballer) chip in where we can."

Making the unlikely connection even more intriguing is the fact Sloane and Cornes played on each other when they each last played in a Showdown in round five last season (Cornes was retired and Sloane injured in the emotional rematch in round 16 last year after the death of Crows coach Phil Walsh).

"I started off all right and then he started to get hold of me and I got the red vest (substitute) in the end because I copped a corkie and ended up going off," Sloane said.

"That will be my excuse for years. I'll make sure he knows I had a corkie and it wasn't my performance that day that led to me going off."

Writing that piece of history in his favour might be a forlorn hope, but Sloane is optimistic about his fledgling business.

"It's good to have two people from the opposition working together," Sloane said.

"But when it comes to game day and the Showdown, it's on. Everything changes. Kane won't talk to me next week."

That's unless Port Adelaide defeat Adelaide, something Sloane is determined to stop happening.

"We're going into this week ready for a fierce battle but definitely to get a win," Sloane said.