Adelaide has the chance in its next two matches to virtually ensure a final-eight position and seriously hurt the chances of St Kilda and Fremantle playing in the finals.

The sixth-placed Crows (8-6) play the 12th-placed Saints (6-8) at Telstra Dome on Friday night and the 11th-placed Dockers (6-8) at AAMI Stadium on Saturday week.

When asked on Thursday about the importance of these next two matches, with the opportunity to 'kill off' St Kilda and Fremantle, Adelaide coach Neil Craig said: "The next eight weeks for all teams in that bunch are extremely important. You may even find that win, lose or draw in the next few weeks, it doesn't discount sides because it is so tight.

"But I'm not interested in killing off those sides. I'm more interested in what it gives us. We played what we would call benchmark football last week against Hawthorn, so that certainly sets a standard our guys know they can achieve, and we would certainly be judging ourselves against that sort of standard, even though you play different opposition.

"We know if we can play at that sort of level, we'll win our share of games to get into the top eight."

Which one of Adelaide's variable sides would turn up against the Saints?

"Hopefully the side that showed up against Geelong, Western Bulldogs, Kangaroos and Hawthorn - that's the side we'll be endeavouring to bring to the ground tomorrow night and in the next eight weeks that'll be the side we'll need to bring as well," Craig said.

Adelaide's 16-9 (and one draw) record against St Kilda includes 4-1 at Telstra Dome, and the Crows also have a 16-9 record against all teams at Telstra Dome.

"It's an interesting record there," Craig said. "It's a fantastic stadium to play in. I know all the players I've spoken to, particularly in this club, always look forward to it. You know exactly what the conditions will be. From a viewing perspective, it's fantastic. If I was a player I'd always want to play at Telstra Dome - it's a great stadium."

Reminded that the ground's surface was still regarded as 'slippery', Craig said: "It has been in the past. Just by viewing it on TV, it looks like it's starting to get a bit slippery again, but it's slippery for both sides."

Craig said Adelaide's selection debate had revolved around the dangers posed by St Kilda's height, strength and running capacity on such a quick ground as Telstra Dome.

"They seem to have made an effort to play with a bit more speed - be a bit more direct - and probably why wouldn't you with the possible forward line they could set up?" he said. "But we're prepared to play whatever style has to be played."

Asked whether Scott Stevens would oppose Nick Riewoldt, Craig said: "Scott has played on him in the past - I think it was our last game last season (round 12) at Telstra Dome - and he played an outstanding game.

"So he's got good history on him and he's been pretty sound for us down back this year. I thought he was really good last week in the back line, but you've also seen him go forward and kick some goals. I wouldn't be uncomfortable if Scott Stevens was standing Riewoldt tomorrow night."

And who would stand Justin Koschitzke?

"He hasn't