Adelaide captain Mark Ricciuto was a surprise late omission from the 21st showdown against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.

Adelaide officials said Ricciuto was 'crook with the flu', though other reports have suggested the star has a hamstring injury.

Chris Knights replaced him in the Crows' 22 and started on the bench with Rhett Biglands, Brent Reilly and debutant Richard Douglas.

Port was unchanged and opened with experienced Stuart Dew and first-year players Ryan Willits, Nick Lower and Matt Thomas on the bench.

Port stalwart Josh Francou, who announced his retirement as an AFL player this past week, was driven on a lap of honour just before the match started.

Hugh Jackman, star of the musical The Boy From Oz, was in the Port rooms before the match, bedecked in Power gear.