Second-gamer Kieran Strachan has been given the most intimidating ruck assignment in the AFL as Adelaide plot a repeat of their remarkable round-10 win over Melbourne.
The Demons, gunning for their first minor premiership and premiership since 1964, started the season with nine straight victories before coming unstuck at Adelaide Oval.
The Crows remain one of four teams to topple Melbourne across 22 rounds.
They will be without suspended star Taylor Walker, who booted three goals in arguably the biggest boilover of this season, at the MCG on Sunday.
Will Hamill and Brodie Smith will also miss the clash because of concussion, while ruckman Reilly O'Brien is another enforced omission because of a knee injury.
Strachan has been asked to fill the major void left by O'Brien.
The 25-year-old's only experience at AFL level is last year's debut against North Melbourne, while his all-conquering opponent Max Gawn is expected to earn a fifth All-Australian blazer after being instrumental in the Demons' dominance.
"Strachany gets the opportunity to come out in an AFL game at the MCG against the best ruckman in the competition," Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said.
"He can't wait ... he's up and about.
"He's been knocking the door down now for a good month.
"He's been playing great footy at SANFL level.
"The step up is huge, but there was a period around four weeks ago where we were close to bringing him into the side."
Nicks was coy about his plans for Melbourne's prime mover Clayton Oliver, stating only a hard tag may occur "at some stage during the game".
Oliver finished with 38 disposals, nine tackles, three goals and best-on-ground honours in the Demons' one-point loss to the Crows, while last year he also polled the maximum 10 coaches' votes when the sides clashed.
"If we win, Clayton Oliver can score as many fantasy points as he wants," Nicks quipped.
"He was a stand out. So we need to limit his impact on the game, otherwise we won't win the game.
"We know that. The challenge is actually executing that ... the knowledge can be there of how to do it, it's actually being able to do it in the moment."
Nicks added "when you focus on one individual another one steps up".
"They've got so many high quality players," he said.
"We're confident, if we take our best over there then we can give it a shot."
