Adelaide Crows assistant coach Ben Hart there is still a number of spots to play for in Adelaide's line-up before the start of Round 1 of the season proper.
With the Crows ravaged by injury during the pre-season, Hart believes is looking forward to seeing how some players fill some unfamiliar roles.
"We'll find stability with whatever we've got, I think," declared Hart on Thursday.
"We've got some really good depth. Those younger guys can stand up and take those spots (for) some of them are there to be taken."
"If they take them and they hold their spot, it's up to guys like (Chris) Knights, (Jason) Porplyzia and (Brett) Burton to force their way back in."
While the Crows are trying to cope with a fistful of injuries, fringe players and rookies have the opportunity to impress in Friday's NAB Challenge clash against Carlton at Visy Park in attempt to force their way in the 22 for Round 1.
"I don't think any of them (players coming back from injury) will play this weekend, possibly the weekend after, depending on how they go with their rehab," Hart said.
"At the same time it will give an opportunity to guys like a (Jarrod) Petrenko, (Rory) Sloane, guys like that to really put their hand up, (Ricky) Henderson gets another go this week and if their form is good enough the other guys have to force their way in."
There have been a number of Crows who have endured an interrupted pre-season forcing senior coach Neil Craig to blood some rookies and unearth the latest talent, which Hart believes is a positive response to injury news.
"Even though we've had injuries we've had opportunities for guys. It's a positive for us. We can give some game time to guys like a Sloane, Henderson can come in. (Will) Young can come in and play, Cooky (Myke Cook) gets more time on the wing, Petrenko plays up forward so it's opportunities and a real positive for us so if we can get those guys in good form it's going to do wonders for our depth came the main season," he said.
The Crows current injury list includes the likes of Burton (knee), Knights (foot), Andy Otten (knee), Porplyzia (groin) and Nathan van Berlo (back) who is expected to return to action via the SANFL this weekend.
Most of the casualties are expected to return or be in contention for either Round 1 or 2 with only Otten to miss the season after a knee reconstruction during summer.
Van Berlo is the best chance of playing in the season opener with a shot to test out his back with South Adelaide at the weekend after recent surgery to rectify the injury.
"Yeah he's made really good progress after his operation a couple of weeks ago, pain free from where he was and looking forward to playing so it's good to see him back," said Hart.
"There was thought to take him over this week to give him a little go, but to be fain on VB we thought we'd give him a chance in the SANFL to have a run around so it's good for him."
While a return to match fitness may still be a few weeks away, expectations are not high with Hart claiming he will be satisfied if van Berlo can make it through a half of footy unscathed.
"I think it's just really to get through a game, or half a game he'll probably play. So get through and do what he has to do."