Adelaide is preparing to travel to Perth for its Round 17 match against West Coast on Friday night, and will be looking to bounce back following a loss in Showdown 60.

Crows Senior Coach Matthew Nicks spoke to the media on Tuesday, reflecting on how the team would need to improve and looking ahead to the clash against the Eagles.

Nicks backs midfield to respond

Adelaide’s midfield was outplayed in its match against Port Adelaide, with Nicks admitting it remains an area of improvement for the side.

But he said the Crows had shown significant development in that part of the ground this season and expected that progress to continue.

“We’ve got a number of guys in there with building experience, we've seen the growth in (Sam) Berry this year, Izak Rankine is really probably playing his second year as a full-time mid,” Nicks said.

“Jordan Dawson's probably one of the highest rated players in the competition, so when we get it right, we're a pretty solid midfield team in all assets of what a midfield role is. 

“When we get it wrong, we unfortunately, you saw it on the weekend, and they don't get to get the job done.

“We're continuing to work through building that belief, no doubt, building the belief in ourselves, and this is a player-driven belief that we can get it done.”

Nicks said he would back the group to respond this weekend.

“I think the more games we string together, we knock off some of these top four sides, the more belief you build in yourselves. 

“The weekend is one that sets you back, you take almost one step forward and the weekend's two steps back. 

“But we're back in that group again this weekend to go hard. There are levers we can pull, and you probably saw us do a little bit of that in the second half when we got (Josh) Rachele in and around the ball a little more, (Jake) Soligo played a bit more on-ball as well.

“There are different things we can look to go to, we'd like not to have to do that in games, but we'll back our guys to bounce back after the weekend's poor performance.”

Izak Rankine and Wayne Milera’s availability

Crows midfielder Izak Rankine came from the ground with a knee and ankle complaint after being caught in a tackle in the first quarter of Showdown 60 

Rankine returned to the field and played out the game, and Nicks said he had likely escaped any major damage, leaving him available to line up in this Friday night’s game.

"Izak has pulled up really well, which is a good result, considering watching it back,” Nicks said.

“He’ll be limited today (at training), but he’s pretty much set to play.”

The Crows will, however, be without half-back Wayne Milera for a second-straight week.

The defender missed Showdown 60 due to a hamstring injury and Nicks said he would not feature against the Eagles.

“Wayne will miss another, so we’re probably playing the conservative card a little there, especially with the trip to Perth, but it's going to be another week, unfortunately,” Nicks said.

Ruck load no concern yet, McAndrew set to push on

Lachlan McAndrew has played all 15 games in his debut season for the club, and has battled gallantly as the Crows’ No.1 ruckman.

McAndrew’s role is arguably one of the most physically demanding positions to play, with lots of explosive jumping, repetitive high-intensity efforts, and a massive aerobic workload across the ground.

The 26-year-old’s form has been strong, averaging 31.4 hit-outs per game, and Nicks said it was unlikely McAndrew would be rested this week.

“There's been discussions…he’s a young ruckman, not by age, just by experience, so  putting a full season together as a number one ruck is a pretty tough thing to do,” Nicks said.

“We've again discussed that, went through the details, (and) he's pulled up really well. I think off of games like the weekends, where it wasn't his strongest, he's had some outstanding performances this year, he’s really keen to go up there.

“Physically, he feels great, mentally he wants to get out and play. 

“That's what we love about him, is that warrior type ruckman - he's the first to put his hand up and say, well, ‘we as a group weren’t at the level we needed to be’, and he wants to go and fight again this week. But we will look at it over the next eight or nine weeks.”

Rachele’s midfield/forward split

Across the past few rounds, Josh Rachele has spent more time as a forward, rather than on-ball.

He was, however, shifted into the midfield, particularly the centre bounces, during the second half of Showdown 60, with Nicks looking for a spark.

On Tuesday, Nicks explained the rationale behind Rachele’s midfield/forward split.

“He (Rachele) looked fantastic (in the forward line) in the three wins we had prior to the weekend,” Nicks said.

“We probably, unlike a lot of the noise, we're not going to jump at one game, but again, Rachele did get a look in that second half when we needed to change something on the weekend.

“If, I guess, the weekend's performance becomes a real trend, then we've got options, and Rachele is definitely one of those. 

“If you look at the last month of football, it's been Rachele ahead of the ball, and so we're going to continue to balance that. We love Josh on-ball, (but it’s) pretty hard to impact on the weekend when you give a team a head start like we did.”

Nicks on Butters’ form

Adelaide could not halt Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters during Showdown 60, with the Power star collecting 37 disposals, 13 clearances, seven tackles and four marks.

Nick said the Club respected Butters immensely, but just got its plan wrong on the weekend.

“We discuss (it) when we come up against a player like Zak Butters or Harley Reid,” Nicks said.

“You have a respect for what you know they can do, and if you don't get it right, so we didn't get it right. 

“I can guarantee you it wasn't a lack of respect. Our guys have watched the way he plays… 

“If players rack up three or four quick possessions, you've got to be mindful you're not jumping too early. 

“But we had to change it on the weekend. 

“When you're able to dig right into the detail and watch it back, which, as coaches, we will do, the credit must go to our oppo, that was as good as we've come up against from a pressure point-of-view, their speed to jump on loose balls, they were outstanding.”

Adelaide faces West Coast at Optus Stadium on Friday night at 7.40pm (ACST).

The game will be broadcast live on Channel 7 Adelaide, Fox Footy and Kayo.