SKIPPER Nathan van Berlo says Adelaide will rely on team defence to combat Collingwood's star-studded midfield at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, after struggling to contain Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett and in-form Melbourne midfielder Brent Moloney with distinct match-ups in the last fortnight.

Ablett put on a vintage display in the Suns' 57-point loss to the Crows last weekend, amassing 41 disposals (23 contested), 13 clearances and four goals, including three in a dominant first-quarter performance.

Moloney was the chief destroyer in the Demons' emphatic win over Adelaide in round seven, racking up 31 touches a remarkable 19 clearances.

Designated stopper Brent Reilly started with the role on each of the dangerous playmakers, but was relieved of his tagging duties by half-time in both games after failing to negate their influence.

Reigning best and fairest winner Richard Douglas was moved onto Ablett in the second quarter last weekend, and was able to limit the Brownlow medallist's influence to a point that Adelaide was able to gain control of the game.

Reilly reinvented himself as a negating midfielder last season but has been more offensive in the opening eight rounds of 2011, averaging 22 disposals (three more than last year) and winning his share of clearances.

Van Berlo said the Crows onball brigade would need to work together to counter Collingwood's midfield depth on Sunday.

"We're going to have to put a lot more down to team responsibility around the contest," van Berlo said on Tuesday.

"We can't solely rely on one or two blokes to shut down the genuine midfielders at the contest.

"On the weekend, it wasn't just Ablett. We had [to worry about] Michael Rischitelli, Jared Brennan and David Swallow, who are guys that are all more than capable of winning their own footy as well.

"This weekend is going to be no different with Dane Swan, Dale Thomas, Scott Pendlebury and the list goes on at Collingwood."

Adelaide's inability to negate the opposition's best players this season has contributed to the club's poor clearance count.

Despite recording a comfortable win, the Crows were beaten in the clearances 53-28 by Gold Coast last weekend.

"On the weekend, clearances were a concern for us, so there's no doubt there'll be some review of that," van Berlo said.

"I don't think it's a question of personnel. If you look at first possession, which indicates the way we're hunting the ball around stoppages and our intent at the ball at the contest that can't be questioned.

"It’s just about the way we choose to exit it and make the most of those opportunities when we do get first hands on the ball."

Forward Taylor Walker responded to his omission last week by kicking seven goals for SANFL club Norwood and will be considered for a recall.

Defenders Andy Otten (knee) and Daniel Talia (Achilles) should both be cleared to return with South Adelaide on Saturday night, but utility Scott Stevens is still struggling to overcome the after-effects of a concussion sustained at training nearly six weeks ago.

Adelaide hasn't beaten Collingwood since round one, 2009, but got within three points of the eventual premiers in round 21, last season.

Van Berlo said his team was confident it could challenge the Pies again this week.

"We've been very competitive against Collingwood the last few times we've played against them, so for us as a group we should take confidence out of that," he said.

"The test for us is going to be our consistency of effort because if we have any lapses whatsoever throughout the game for even a five or 10-minute period, Collingwood are a quality side that will certainly make you pay."

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