The inclusion of Brodie Smith and Rory Sloane means little for Adelaide, unless they perform as asked, according to coach Phil Walsh.

The Crows take on Carlton at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, with the star pair back in the senior line up from injury.

Sloane has been missing since Round Six with a fractured cheekbone, while 2014 All Australian Smith hasn't played since Round Seven when he was concussed against St Kilda.

"Names look good but they've got to play their role, simple as that," Walsh said.

"We'll see, Saturday afternoon, it's weight of numbers, we're going to need a number of guys to play their roles and do their jobs.

"Unless we get that it doesn't matter what the names say in your team, you won't get the job done."

Walsh said the departure of Mick Malthouse as coach of the Blues made him nervous.

Although succumbing to another significant loss last weekend against the Sydney Swans, Carlton's effort improved under caretaker coach John Baker.

Walsh wasn't sure what the Blues would throw at his side.

"We're expecting a really fierce contest so we'll be well prepared, but there's an element of unknown maybe with John Barker," he said.

"He's had a week with them this week, whereas last week he probably only had one training session.

"We could expect the unexpected – makes me slightly nervous."

Star forward Eddie Betts spent some time honing his 'checkside' snaps at training on Friday, after booting another incredible goal using the kick last weekend against Fremantle.

Unfortunately though Adelaide was unable to make the most of its scoring shots, kicking 7.15 to lose by 11 points.

Like any playing group, the Crows practice nailing spectacular goals at training.

But Walsh hoped the increased work they had done on straight-forward shots this week would mean better accuracy against the Blues.

"We've practiced hard on our set shots this week and we're hoping the work we've done will mean those critical ones that we missed last week, that won't be part of our performance," he said.

"The boys do have a snap [at training] but that's not part of what we're about here.

"We want to be elite standards and our goal kicking hasn't been elite this year."