Fourth-year Crow Josh Rachele’s ability to impact the game as a midfielder is a weapon Coach Matthew Nicks is keen to exploit in Saturday night’s Showdown.

Rachele was included in the Crows’ midfield mix during Adelaide's Round Eight win against Carlton, attending five centre bounces and recording three clearances.

When asked if Rachele would feature as on-baller in the Showdown, Nicks lauded his ability to impact in the position and highlighted how being around the footy helped elevate his game.

“It depends on how the game plays out, but when he was in there (the midfield) last week he definitely impacted,” Nicks told the media on Wednesday.

“His work around the footy then gave him confidence when he went back forward, which we saw last week in his ability to hit the scoreboard.

“Rash is moving really well, he’s come back in great knick, he did the work during the break and became a professional in the ilk of Ben Keays and Reilly O’Brien. 

“He’s learnt from those guys, which is what we’re about and the culture we’ve built, and he’s reaped the rewards, as we have with the performances he’s putting in on the park.” 

Adelaide will enter the clash against its cross-town rival full of confidence after a strong 60-point win over Carlton last week.

Nicks said the side had been quick to shift its focus to the Power. 

“Something we’ve done really well this year is lock in on the process of what’s needed for that week, that training, that moment,” Nicks said.

“We know our opposition and what’s coming up, and we also know Showdowns and the history of how tight these games are.

“I think a big part of why Showdowns are such a spectacle is that both teams are comfortable with the venue, are confident they can perform there, and look to rise to the occasion.

“But for us, the main focus is just backing up a good performance last week with another one this week.”

As for what he expected from the opposition, Nicks said a fired up Port Adelaide would greet his side on Saturday night, after it fell to the Western Bulldogs by 90 points last week.

“That’s Port Adelaide, it (responding) is what they do really well, they are a competitive team that love the battle,” Nicks said.

“We’ve got no doubt they are going to come out and breathe fire, like they normally do in a Showdown, and we hope they think the same about us.

“Our focus is putting our head down and going to work, we rate ourselves, we rate our footy and if we go away from that we are not being ourselves.”

Adelaide faces Port Adelaide in Showdown 57 this Saturday night, with the first bounce at 7.40pm (ACST).