Emerging midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen is the poster child for the selection pressure at Adelaide.

Ellis-Yolmen, 23, forced his way into the Crows team in 2015 following a strong summer.

The 189cm, 89kg, onballer played 11 AFL games up until Round 15 last season before being squeezed out, and unable to find his way back into the senior side.

On Saturday night, Ellis-Yolmen made his first AFL appearance since the Club’s emotional trip across the Nullarbor to play West Coast last July.

It was reward for the consistency the fifth-year Crow has displayed throughout the SANFL season. One of the favourites for the Magarey Medal, Ellis-Yolmen has averaged 29 possessions and seven clearances at State League level in 2016.

However, Adelaide’s strong team form and, in particular, the competition for spots between inside midfielders, which include the Crouch brothers and Jarryd Lyons, has limited his opportunities.

Ellis-Yolmen said his focus has been on improvement, and being ready when his chance arrived.

“I’m just trying to control the stuff I can control,” Ellis-Yolmen said.

“That’s my consistency throughout the year, making sure I’m putting my best foot forward to get a game, keeping the pressure on the mids and playing good footy in the SANFL.”

Ellis-Yolmen was selected to play against the Brisbane Lions in place of 300-gamer Scott Thompson, who was left out of the side as part of his ongoing management.

In just his 13^th game, Ellis-Yolmen made a smooth transition back to AFL level.

He finished with 18 possessions, five tackles, four marks, three clearances and 2.3, splitting his time between the midfield and forward line.

“Going from SANFL to AFL level is a massive step. You don’t realise until you actually get out on the park,” he said after his first AFL game in more than a year.

“With the speed of the game, you have to adjust a bit in the first quarter and then you get into your groove.”

Coach Don Pyke was pleased with Ellis-Yolmen's ability to step up.

“Curly (Ellis-Yolmen) hasn’t had opportunity this year," Pyke said.

"I know he was really keen to impress and play his role, which is what I thought he did.”

Ellis-Yolmen was one of 14 different goalkickers in Adelaide’s 138-point win over the Lions.

One of his goals came from a set shot tucked up against the boundary line at the northern end of Adelaide Oval – otherwise known as ‘Eddie’s Pocket’.

“I kicked one from there, but couldn’t kick one from more of an open angle!” he said.

“After the goal, Eddie said to stay away from his pocket, so I’ll remember that!”

The Crows won all four quarters on Saturday night, recording their biggest-ever win over Brisbane and gaining eight percentage points to climb into third spot on the AFL ladder.

“The boys just kept the pressure on. We didn’t give up,” Ellis-Yolmen said.

“We didn’t want to let them back in the game. We just kept pushing and pushing until the final siren.

“It was really good by the whole group, a team effort.”

Thompson and impressive young forward Mitch McGovern, who was also ‘managed’ on Saturday night, will both be available for selection against Fremantle next week. Ruckman Sam Jacobs also hopes to prove his fitness after missing Adelaide’s win over the Lions with an ankle injury.

Ellis-Yolmen was hopeful of retaining his spot for the trip West, but said his application wouldn’t change regardless of which level he was playing at.

“I’ll just keep doing my role for the team and playing good footy,” he said.

“If I stay in, I stay in. If I don’t, I’ll go back to the SANFL, play good footy and keep putting pressure on.”