ADELAIDE ball magnet Chris Knights believes the onus is on him and his fellow midfielders to contribute more heavily on the scoreboard in the injury-forced absence of star forwards Brett Burton and Jason Porplyzia.

Last week, Knights and Nathan van Berlo converted in the loss to Collingwood, but the Crows will require more than two contributors to compensate for the loss of their leading goalkickers.

Of the midfield group, only Bernie Vince (12), Scott Thompson (10), Tyson Edwards (11) and Simon Goodwin (23), who has spent considerable time up forward, have hit double figures with six of Thompson's coming in one game.

"The next seven weeks present a better challenge for the midfield group," Knights said.

"We do have to contribute on the scoreboard and get some goals from the midfield as well as getting it inside 50m more effectively, so we give our forwards the best opportunity."

The injuries to Burton and Porplyzia have widened Adelaide’s odds of making the finals, but Knights said the group was remaining positive.

"There are always going to be critics out there and probably fair enough, because we haven’t performed how we’d like to in the last four weeks," he said.

"However, we’ve showed some signs in patches and we thought, for a quarter and-a-half, we were pretty good against Collingwood.

"I don't think we're more vulnerable [than any other top eight team]. I think there are a lot of people in our situation.

"There are a few teams that are quite a few games ahead of the rest, but there are a group of us fighting in the eight for positions. We know we’ve got a really good spot and we’re really excited with the challenge up ahead."

Adelaide drew first blood in Showdown week with Knights taking out Tuesday's Balfours Yo-Yo Showdown Challenge ahead of Port Adelaide opponents Dom Cassisi and Greg Bentley.

Knights said it was also important his team made a statement against the Power in Showdown XXV on Sunday.

"I think it’s important to make a statement in any sort of environment when it’s high pressure and finals-like," he said. "It gives you good practice for the end of the year if you’re fortunate enough to play finals.

"Having watched the game earlier this year and played in the Showdowns last year, I know it is a finals-like atmosphere and it’s a really hard, fast match.

"This is going to be one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my career. It’s a massive game for South Australia and a massive game for the Crows."