Captain Nathan van Berlo has dismissed suggestions Adelaide’s last-quarter fadeout against Geelong was a fitness issue, saying "we couldn't have got any more work into us over the pre-season".

Instead, van Berlo said his side's contested game needed to lift.

"The contested possession and tackle count was well against us in the last quarter which is a fair indication - if you're not winning the ball around the contest you're going to find it pretty hard to move forward," van Berlo said.

"I think the contested possession count there was minus 17 which is … pretty bad for a whole game let alone a quarter. We’ve got to work out why that happened in the last quarter and find the means to address it pretty quick.

“The boys were very disappointed after the game with their showing in the last quarter. It’s not the way we want to finish off games, so there’ll be a big emphasis put on the boys to have a strong response this week.”

One player who could help in that department is injured midfielder Richard Douglas.

Douglas was hospitalised and had surgery after suffering a heavy knock to the groin in Adelaide's practice game against Greater Western Sydney on March 7 and, although initially expected to miss a month of football, could return as early as this weekend.

Van Berlo said the 27-year-old had "a number of boxes to tick" before gaining selection this week, but that his presence would prove a huge boost.

"He's pretty keen but he's just got to see late in the week, the last call's going to come from the specialist," he said.

The Crows will be further boosted by news forward Lewis Johnston escaped sanction for a head-high bump on Geelong's Steve Johnson. After booting three goals in Adelaide's loss, Johnston will be available for Saturday afternoon's Showdown.

Van Berlo, who is progressing well in his recovery from a ruptured Achilles, said it would be tough to watch the team run out onto the new Adelaide Oval for the first time.

“It’s bitter-sweet for me, but at the same time I’m excited for the boys. I’ve seen the excitement on their faces when we’ve been able to train at Adelaide Oval the last couple of weeks,” he said.

“It’s been a long time coming, but I think it’ll be well worth the wait when we come out here and play our first game.”