Crows captain Rory Sloane has a simple message for Adelaide’s young contingent ahead of Showdown 49 - embrace it.

The senior midfielder could return to the side this weekend, pending approval from an eye specialist, after missing the last four weeks.

On Tuesday, Sloane described the Showdown as having a “finals-like atmosphere”.

“I remember early, certainly embracing the environment around the whole of South Australia,” Sloane said.

“That’ll certainly be the message for (the younger players) - embrace it, listen to the guys, hear stories, learn from the players and learn from the past.

“Once we cross that white line, it’s game on.”

A new version of the Variety Showdown Shield was also unveiled on Tuesday, following a competition for fans to redesign the prestigious award:

Sloane will meet with the specialist on Wednesday but must still pass Thursday and Friday’s training sessions without side effects to be cleared to play.

“If I’ve learnt anything over the years it’s that your eyes are extremely important, so I will definitely be listening to the specialist,” Sloane said.

“If there’s any risk whatsoever I wouldn’t play, but if he declares me fit and fine, which hopefully he does, we’ll be right to go.”

Watching from the sidelines over the past several weeks, Sloane said he had been impressed with Adelaide’s midfield.

“I’ve been really proud of the way the boys have stepped up, especially that midfield group,” he said.

“Aside from the weekend, I think we let ourselves down in that area, but I think we’ve been really solid in there.

“We’ve seen guys like Lairdy (Rory Laird), Sammy Berry - Keaysy (Ben Keays) has had an outstanding year, Harry Schoenberg’s really stepped up.

“I’ve been really proud of how these boys have handled a bit more inexperienced midfield… hopefully I can get back in there and help them out.”

The Crows will face the Power on Saturday at 7.10pm. The Clubs’ SANFL sides will also face off in a curtain raiser before the match at Adelaide Oval.