Adelaide has made just one forced change for Friday night’s clash with Richmond at the MCG, bringing in key forward Tom Lynch who returns from a mild concussion.

Lynch copped a head knock at training last week after successfully recovering from a side strain suffered in Round 11 and will play a crucial role against the in-form Tigers.

"Great to have Tommy Lynch back in the team. Really important player for us, clearly," assistant coach Scott Camporeale said.

Wingman David Mackay goes out of the side after suffering a rib injury in the Round 15 win over West Coast.

The solitary change marks just the second time the Crows have made less than two selection changes in a round this season, with the last coming in Round Four when Darcy Fogarty was recalled for an injured Lachlan Murphy.

Camporeale said it was an extremely positive sign for the group entering the home stretch of the 2018 season.

"The most important thing is we're getting competition for spots going into the back half of the year," he said.

Adelaide will welcome back Sam Gibson and Riley Knight via the SANFL, with the pair set to play for the Crows reserves against Norwood on Saturday.

“Hopefully they get some continuity and they’ll be back in the AFL team sooner rather than later,” Camporeale said.

Rory Atkins, Patrick Wilson, Ben Davis and Lachlan Murphy have been named as emergencies.

Adelaide's Round 16 team is...

IN - T. Lynch

OUT - D. Mackay (ribs)