ADELAIDE wingman David Mackay is fighting to remain part of the club's finals plans, having been dropped this weekend for his first SANFL game in more than two years.

Mackay's form has tapered off significantly in 2015, and after spending the past fortnight as the sub, Crows assistant coach David Teague said the 27-year-old was simply not in the club's best team.

Mackay signed a four-year deal with the Crows last year, so is tied to West Lakes until the end of 2018.

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But his possessions have dipped from 18 a game last season, to fewer than 15 this year and he's also averaged fewer marks, goals and tackles.

Teague wasn't ready to write the wingman off, but said he had work to do if he was to pressure his way back into the starting side.

"Could he come in and play a sub role, could he come in and play? We've got belief that he can come in and play both of those roles, but at the moment he's not in our best 22," Teague said.

"He's got areas to work on - it's just that when we're picking our best 22 he's just not in it.

"His consistency … for (individual) quarters he's done it really well, but we're looking for four quarters.

"Nathan van Berlo's stepped into that role across half-back and has played it well for the last two weeks, so it's probably more that van Berlo's playing better."

Young defender Jake Lever was also omitted from the side, but Teague said his absence had nothing to do with form and that he'd likely return next week.

He said the club had simply taken a conservative approach to Lever's fitness given 2015 is his first season back from a knee reconstruction.

"He's had a great season for us and he's been in good form – it's just a freshen up," Teague said.

"He should be right to go next week."

Teague also ruled himself out of contention for the vacant senior coaching roles across the League, saying he'd like to spend at least another few years as an assistant.

He has ambition to coach a team in his own right, but would prefer to first gain significant experience in a similar vein to Ken Hinkley or Alan Richardson.