STOP Daniel Rich and you're a long way to defeating the Brisbane Lions, says Adelaide assistant coach Scott Camporeale.

The Lions' star was electric in the NAB Cup Grand Final, but struggled last weekend as he was tagged by Western Bulldog Nick Lower.

Rich was kept to just eight touches for the match as his team succumbed to an embarrassing 68-point defeat.

Camporeale said that if Adelaide could replicate Lower's negating role on Saturday, the Crows would be hard to stop.

"If you can shut [their stars] down it's going to make big inroads to whether you're going to win the game or not," Camporeale said.

"It's no different to (Patrick) Dangerfield versus (Heath) Hocking in the first week.

"I would suggest their midfield coach would be doing a fair bit of work with (Rich) over the last week or so to get him up and give him a few plans how to change that.

"It'll be a big job to limit him and good players generally don't play two bad ones [in a row] – we're hoping he'll do that."

Adelaide's own budding star Brad Crouch will make his long-awaited AFL debut against the Lions with coach Brenton Sanderson ruling out using the 19-year-old as the sub.

Camporeale said Crouch had demanded selection with an impressive showing for West Adelaide in the SANFL and that his NAB Cup form proved he was ready for the AFL.

"We were really pleased with him what he did over the pre-season and he's adapted really well in the NAB Cup games," he said.

"We didn't pick him round one, we thought we'd just give him another week and [make him] really earn his spot in the SANFL.

"He went back and had 31 possessions and was arguably the best player on the ground, so we warrants selection and I think he'll be a really good addition to our midfield."

Adelaide's forward line chemistry will be aided by the return of small forward Ian Callinan, who has replaced Graham Johncock.

30-year-old Callinan booted four goals in Adelaide's round 21 loss to the Lions last season and Camporeale said he picked himself.

"He kicked four against them last time up there. It looks like there might be a little bit of drizzle, so we think he's one that could really suit the game," he said.

"He, (Jared) Petrenko, (Taylor) Walker, they've got a really good relationship together.

"I'd be very surprised if the forward mix doesn't work."

Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.