ADELAIDE is facing a midfield crisis for its season opener against premiership favourites Greater Western Sydney.

Brad Crouch (hamstring) and Paul Seedsman (groin) are at long odds to take their place in the side at Adelaide Oval on March 26, All-Australian Rory Sloane (fractured eye socket) and veteran Scott Thompson (shoulder) are racing the clock and Cam Ellis-Yolmen is out for the season with a serious knee injury.

Crouch, Seedsman, Sloane and Thompson won't play any part in the JLT Community Series.

Ellis-Yolmen tore his ACL in the first half of Friday night's loss to Richmond.

It's the third time Crouch has torn his hamstring, so his return will be carefully managed.

Former Magpie Seedsman, too, struggled with injuries last year in his first season at the Crows.

It would be a massive ask to throw both players straight into the fire against the likes of Dylan Shiel, Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward.

The more likely scenario is Crouch and Seedsman regain match fitness in the SANFL before returning to the senior side.

Sloane was in great shape before copping an accidental knock from forward Josh Jenkins in a match simulation drill in mid-February.

There's every chance the Crows' reigning best and fairest is back for round one, but Thompson has a lot of work to do to prove his shoulder can handle the rigours of an AFL game.

Jenkins told AFL.com.au the Crows won't put any of their injured players at risk given it's such a long season.

"The expectation is they do everything they can to get themselves right, but a finals berth or a premiership isn't won in round one," Jenkins said.

"But it can be lost if you push yourself and if you miss a lot of time afterwards it can be detrimental."

Curtly Hampton, Harrison Wigg and Charlie Cameron were among those who impressed during their stints in the midfield against the Tigers.

Rebounding defenders Rory Laird and Brodie Smith, and pacy forward Wayne Milera, can also spend time through the middle of the ground to complement Matt Crouch, Rory Atkins, Richard Douglas and David Mackay.

Riley Knight and draftee Jordan Gallucci will get their first opportunities to stake a claim for a round one berth against Geelong on Sunday at Richmond Oval after they were rested from the Crows' opening game.

The Crows have 11 players unavailable for the clash with the Cats.

Forwards Mitch McGovern and Jono Beech will be rested after picking up minor knocks last week.

Ruckman Sam Jacobs (back) has been cleared to play, while defender Luke Brown (groin) will play his first game of the year.