Emerging ruckman Brodie Grundy is excited at the prospect of playing his first AFL game in his home state on Thursday night.

Grundy said the clash would be a special highlight in the 20-year-old’s short career to play in front of a sold-out crowd at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval.

"I've been looking forward to this game – I marked it out on the calendar when I saw the fixture and I'm lucky enough to play this week," he said.

"It's going to be a good to play in front of some of my family and friends back home.

"I wasn't a massive cricket fan growing up but I did get down to a few games at Adelaide Oval.

"I saw the Port versus Melbourne game that time and I've played a couple of SANFL games there, but from all the talk the new ground is in really good nick and I look forward to having a crack out there."

Grundy, who was recruited from Sturt with pick No.18 in the 2012 National Draft, said the Pies would be wary of the Crows' talented midfielders on Thursday night.

He also said he hoped the Pies' pressure would make the game a close contest, but the expected return of Taylor Walker from a knee reconstruction wasn't something the club had spoken about during its preparations.

"I've just looked at Sam Jacobs and the guys I'll be playing against," Grundy said.

"Obviously he's a really good player and they'll be happy to get him back.

"I think he (Walker) played a few games (in the SANFL) and he's done well, kicked a few goals, so he's going to add some real depth to their forward line."