ADELAIDE coach Neil Craig denies he has gained extra insight into the Bombers from former Essendon coach Matthew Knights, and describes the use of such inside information on rival clubs as a "myth".

Earlier in the week it was revealed Knights had been working for the Crows in an unofficial capacity this season, scouting opposition teams and reporting back to Craig.

The news has added more intrigue to the game between Adelaide and Essendon at AAMI Stadium on Friday night, which will also pit Bombers assistant coach Simon Goodwin and Adelaide assistant Scott Camporeale against their former teams for the first time.

Craig confirmed he met with Knights a fortnight ago but said the pair had "hardly spoken" about Essendon.

"I got to know Matthew reasonably well when he was coaching the Port Magpies here several years back," Craig said on Thursday.

"Matthew is watching a lot of footy [through his media role] with the ABC. The only disadvantage of being in Adelaide is that you don't get to see a lot of live footy. In Melbourne, you can go and watch three or four games a weekend.

"I'm just sort of picking his brain and he's looking at a range of teams over there, particularly the teams that reside in the top eight."

Two weeks ago, Essendon coach James Hird praised ex-Geelong premiership coach Mark Thompson and his one-time assistant Brendan McCartney for helping mastermind the Bombers' shock win over the Cats.

Craig said both Camporeale and Goodwin would provide their new clubs with some insight into their former teams and teammates, but he doubted it would play a significant role in the result on Friday night.

"I think it's a bit mythical that stuff," he said.

"There's an element of information you can get … but in terms of the actual performance it's a very small percentage they contribute. I think it's over-emphasised."

Adelaide has been forced to make two changes to the team that beat the Sydney Swans in round 15, with Richard Douglas (ankle) and Ian Callinan (hamstring) both ruled out of the clash with the Bombers.

The injured pair has been replaced in the team by forward Ricky Henderson and young midfielder Brodie Smith.

Forward Taylor Walker was ineligible for selection after failing to have an appeal against a one-match ban for rough conduct overturned at the SANFL Tribunal, but Craig said the goalkicker wouldn't have played against Essendon regardless.

Chris Schmidt has been upgraded to the senior list as a mid-season rookie upgrade, making him available for selection for the remainder of the season.

Despite promoting Schmidt, Craig said the club still had the flexibility to play untried rookie Aidan Riley if his form warranted it.

"The contested part of Aidan's game is AFL standard, but we're working with Aidan on his capacity to spread and run with real power," Craig said.

Forward Chris Knights has overcome a calf strain and will line up in the SANFL.

The 14th-placed Crows had a bye last weekend and are yet to record consecutive wins this season.

Adelaide produced its first four-quarter performance of the year to beat the Swans, and Craig said the challenge was for his team to replicate the effort against the resurgent Bombers.

"We need to try and reproduce that on a consistent basis," he said.

"Not just once against Sydney or, maybe, twice against Sydney and Essendon, but for the rest of the year … so that our younger players understand clearly that when people talk about 'typical Crows', that's what they're talking about."

The remaining eight games are also likely to influence Craig's coaching future.

The Crows are on track to miss the top eight in consecutive seasons for the first time in 15 years, and there has been increasing pressure on Craig to retain his position.

Craig reaffirmed he was "very keen" to continue coaching beyond this season, insisting public opinion wouldn't sway his decision.

"I'll need to take that advice form the board on that [public opinion] because they have to consider [the brand and the club's image]," he said.

"I don't sit here and read everything that's out there, or blogs. I could bring out a box full of letters from people who have said, 'Please, be rational about what you're doing here because you've got support from us'. I could bring in another box [full of letters] saying, 'it's time for you to go'.

"In the end it'll be the board's decision."

Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill