ADELAIDE coach Phil Walsh hopes a home-ground advantage and his side's stoppage strength will help the Crows sink the unbeaten Dockers on Saturday night.

Fremantle sit atop the AFL ladder, undefeated after eight rounds of the season.

Adelaide is equal first in the League for clearances, along with Hawthorn and Gold Coast; Fremantle is ranked equal ninth.

Combined with an Adelaide Oval edge and the Dockers' flight from Perth, Walsh said his Crows were in with a genuine chance on Saturday.

"You get on a plane, you travel, you're vulnerable, we've played well at Adelaide Oval – I'm really looking forward to it," Walsh said.

"They've always been a difficult team to beat, they've always been a difficult team to score against – that's the trademark of Ross Lyon's teams.

"Over the last two years he's added a little bit more offence though … he's a threat to blow open a game early as he's been able to do a couple of times this year.

"It's like any team though, you need to get field position and that starts in the centre bounce – that's an area where we've been very good and hopefully we can have an advantage with that, even though their midfield and ruckman are as good as any going around.

"We actually are the number one stoppage team (differential) in the AFL. We’re happy to get into a stoppage scrap. We’re the No.1 stoppage team in the AFL on differential. They rank No.1 for scores from stoppage and we rank No.2.”

Walsh is an unashamed fan of Freo coach Ross Lyon and his well-drilled team.

The Dockers have conceded an average of only 63 points a game this season – the fewest of any team in the AFL.

The Crows have actually outscored the Dockers this season 791 points to 778, but Adelaide has leaked more points (680) defensively.

“Fremantle is a team I always watch whether we’re playing them or not. I always have a look just to see what they’re doing because they’ve been the leader in a number of areas that I rate highly,” Walsh said.

“They’ve always been a difficult team to beat and they’ve always been a difficult team to score against. That’s the trademark of Ross Lyon’s teams. Probably over the last two years, he’s added a little bit more offence to his team.

“The number (final score) you want, is one more than they’ve got on the scoreboard. I don’t mind if it (our score) is 60 points or 120 as long as our number is higher than theirs.”

Dockers star Nathan Fyfe is the in-form player of the competition.

Walsh said the Crows would have “plans” for the Brownlow Medal favourite.

“They’re not a one-man team, but Nat Fyfe is in fantastic form and he’s someone we’ll have some plans for,” he said.

“This is not about stopping Nat Fyfe. It’s about beating Fremantle. Fyfe brings some elements you have to be aware of, particularly, his marking ability when he does push forward.

“He also gives you some opportunities and we’ll try and exploit some of those opportunities he provides for us as well.”

Still missing a plethora of first-choice players, the Crows will have to upset the Dockers with an under-strength side.

Defensive playmaker Ricky Henderson has again been withdrawn late due to a back complaint. Brodie Martin comes into the side for his first game of the season.

Given the absence of half-back flankers Brodie Smith (concussion) and Matthew Jaensch (knee), Henderson's injury severely depletes the side's defensive stocks.

Walsh backed his players to cover the losses, though, even if it meant he would have to "reshuffle" the line-up. He said an even contribution was the key.

“We need a number of players to win their position,” he said.

“Last week, we probably only had six players who I felt won their position. That’s not going to get the job done against a good team.

“Against the ladder leader, we’re going to need a lot more from a lot more of our players if we’re going to win.”