CROWS defender Graham Johncock seems unlikely to return to the side for Saturday's clash with Carlton, despite a strong performance for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL last weekend.

Johncock was omitted for the win over the Sydney Swans after the club's leadership group deemed he hadn't met the required standards of preparation and had struggled with form.

However, teammate Nathan Bock said on Wednesday that he'd already noticed a "bit of a change" in Johncock over the past week.

"I think just the way Graham accepted it [was impressive]," he said. "He still stayed positive about it and accepted it.

"He trained really well today and his attitude on the weekend with the Magpies showed that he’s got plenty of character, he’s willing to make a change and wants to get back into the side as soon as possible.

"I suppose the selection will end up coming down to the coaching staff as well as the players. When the players start to see some improvement, on and off the field, then he will come up for selection.

"I’m probably not at liberty to say [when Johncock will return], so I don’t have much more to say on the issue.

"It will be kept amongst the playing group and coaching group."

Johncock has played 16 games this season and was selected to represent the Dream Team in May's Hall of Fame Tribute Match.