ADELAIDE midfielder Chris Knights rates tomorrow night’s NAB Cup semi-final clash with the talented Hawthorn midfield as the ultimate test for the Crows' inexperienced on-ball brigade.

Adelaide has tried a new-look midfield this pre-season while experimenting with proven stars Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards and Andrew McLeod up forward.

The Crows’ young guns have so far been up to the challenge but Knights said a win over the Hawks would be a massive confidence boost heading into round one.

"Hawthorn has a very good midfield with the likes of Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell. We’ve got a tough battle ahead of ourselves tomorrow night but it is one we’re really looking forward to," Knights said.

"We’ve got new blokes coming through like Jason Porplyzia, Richard Douglas and Bernie Vince who have really stepped up this year, while the likes of Scott Thompson and Brent Reilly are providing the leadership in there.

"As it gets closer to the regular season, the games get tougher and as a midfield group we’re pretty young, but we’re really focussing on our leadership and taking it to the opposition.

"And if we can match it with Hawthorn tomorrow night, it will definitely reassure us that we can match it with anyone."

Hawks midfielder Jordan Lewis returned the compliment, saying that his side was wary of underestimating a Crows midfield minus three of the AFL’s biggest stars.

"[The Crows midfield] is a bit different but they’ve got a lot of depth," he said.

"You have guys like Chris Knights coming in that can fill those roles just like that so no matter who the player is, we have to treat them with respect and treat them like they are a McLeod or an Edwards."