Preparations are well underway for Adelaide’s clash with Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. 

The group will head into the match on the back of a 10-day break and will be eager to atone for Round 20 loss against Collingwood last Thursday night. 

Crows Senior Coach Matthew Nicks spoke to the media ahead of the trip, and touched on the following topics. 

Young forward in the mix to debut

Pick No.50 in the 2025 draft Archie Ludowyke is putting his hand to make his AFL debut this Sunday, after showing impressive signs throughout his first season at SANFL level. 

A key post in the Crows’ SANFL forward line at just 18 years of age, Ludowyke has booted 17 goals from his first 14 matches of senior football. 

Nicks said the forward has shown some exciting traits, and was well within selection considerations.

“Ludo's one that's in the mix, I think there's a fair bit of excitement around what he's bringing, and the way he goes about his footy from his teammates and definitely from our coaching group,” Nicks said.

“He's still an extremely raw young key forward, but there's some football intelligence there and his attack on the ball is really strong. 

“We're always mindful of the session that we've got ahead of us, making sure that we get that right and then sit down and sort of finalise (the team). 

“We don't play until Sunday, so we've got a bit still to work through, but I've got no doubt he's ready. I think he's enthusiastic about having a crack, and it'll be a good time for our group to inject some energy.”

Midfield duo to prove fitness

Adelaide on-ballers James Peatling and Sam Berry will have to prove their fitness ahead of Sunday’s clash.

The pair has been on light duties this week, with Peatling managing a groin and hip issue, and Berry a sore foot. 

Nicks said they would be given every chance, but hinted there was likely to be changes to the line-up.

“We'll have a few (changes) this week, we're going to work our way through JP, he'll have a bit of a run around today,” Nicks said.

“Nothing will be locked in today, but it's going to be a challenge for him to get up. Berry's another one who's a little sore at the moment, he probably won’t train today, and that will be a decision made over the coming 24 hours.

“Bez’s working through a bit of a foot issue at the moment and JP's had a groin (issue) over the last couple of weeks. 

“So expect a few changes this week, probably a little more than you've seen in the past month or so.”

Potential midfield opportunities for Curtin

As the Crows prepare for potentially a different looking midfield this weekend, Nicks hinted that Dan Curtin could be given more of an opportunity around the ball.

The 197cm utility spent the start of pre-season training as a pure midfielder, before a dislocated knee cap ended his summer training block.

He then returned to the AFL side in Round Eight, and has played predominantly on the wing this season.

However, with Peatling and Berry battling niggles, Nicks said Curtin had been raised as a potential replacement through the on-ball brigade.

“He’s definitely in the conversation (to play midfield), it’s been one we've looked at for a while now,” Nicks said.

“From Dan's point-of-view, it's about making sure he's ready and found his game. We've trialled it within games.

“He was fantastic in the pre-season (as a midfielder), that seems to be all the commentary at the moment, but yeah, Dan's definitely one that if we don't have the availability through there, we've got some great options. 

“Jake Soligo's another, playing a little bit more forward at the moment, but he’s played on ball for most of his career. 

“If we do lose both Peatling and Berry, both of those guys will eat up that opportunity.”

Milera “in a good space”

Despite finishing last week’s match with a minor calf/soleus issue, Nicks is confident defender Wayne Milera will be available for selection this weekend.

He said the dashing defender would be on the track, and was confident in his body. 

“He'll train today, and again, it'll just be an assess afterwards. We're pretty confident, he's really confident and he's in a good space. We’ll know more after the session,” Nicks said. 

“Wayne's I think an All-Australian year, and he's been challenged the last few months with a little bit of niggles here and there, but Hugo Hall-Kahan has come in and he's added to that (run off half back) as well.”

The role of Riley Thilthorpe

Nicks said All-Australian forward Riley Thilthorpe could play as a second ruck in the next few weeks, as the Crows prepare for the pointy end of the season.

He said that a back issue earlier in the season limited Thilthorpe’s opportunities to play around the footy, and that his body was a place now where he could be reintroduced to the role. 

“I'll probably say that (Riley playing as the second ruck) is the question we're hearing the most, and it comes back to a little bit around the individual,” Nicks said 

“Riley's worked his way through a back issue, if you remember back through the early part of the season. It's quite a taxing role to go from a forward key position forward, and some might say a number one forward, which is getting the hardest defender, then go and play in the ruck as well. 

“We didn't feel like that was going to help Riley find himself and find his form this year, so we did what we could. It allowed us to expose Toby Murray to 12 games of AFL footy.

“I think you’ll find when coming to this last month of footy, you're going to see Riley, starting to really find his game competing ahead of the ball. 

“You'll also probably see a little bit more Riley in the ruck from a second ruck point of view. Without giving too much away, we still got to train today, but we'll slowly work that.”

Finding a balance ahead of the ball

Adelaide trialled a new look ahead of the ball against Collingwood last week, as it opted to play a taller forward line that featured Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker, Finnbar Maley and Toby Murray.

The group started strongly, but was unable to consistently impact across the four quarters, as the Crows fell by 34 points.

“There’s a lot of discussion when we underperform that it doesn't work, but when we do perform, it does,” Nicks said. 

“So we'll keep working through that. There is a reality that the taller you go, the less pressure you're able to bring at times, and the game can get hard if you're not dominating in the air. 

“We're well aware of that, so we'll look to find that balance, and I think there's a little bit for us to work through at the moment.

“We've got another month or so to go that hopefully we can get right, and then hopefully heading to a final series with the group and some momentum.”

Adelaide takes on Essendon at Marvel Stadium this Sunday afternoon, with the match to begin at 4.10pm (ACST).

Fans can watch the match live on Channel 7 Adelaide, Fox Footy and Kayo.