NEARLY every season there is a "bolter" and Adelaide midfielder Scott Thompson has backed his side to rebound from the disappointment of last year with a return to the top eight.

After a thrilling finish to the 2009 season when the Crows missed out on a preliminary final berth by a kick, the club had set its sights on making the final four in 2010.

However, that prediction was way off the mark and Adelaide finished 11th on the ladder after losing the opening six games.

The club rallied in the second half of 2010, winning seven of its last 12 games and showing there was life after retired veterans Simon Goodwin, Andrew McLeod, Brett Burton and Tyson Edwards.

Coach Neil Craig wouldn't put any expectations on his team when quizzed about its premiership chances last month, but Thompson said the players were aiming for September.

"There's no doubt we want to play finals football again," Thompson said.

"Last year was very disappointing. We had high expectations, as a team going into the season, so to play the way we did especially in the first six rounds was really disappointing."

I think we showed late last year what the group was capable of and that was without those senior players, who have now retired and moved on.

"It goes to show some of the talent we have got in the team and if we can get everyone out on the park and playing to their potential there's no reason why we can't match it with the best teams going around."

Adelaide blooded six debutants, Ricky Henderson, Phil Davis, Matthew Jaensch, Jack Gunston, Will Young and Tony Armstrong last season and gave more game time to inexperienced players, including Rory Sloane, Brodie Martin and Taylor Walker.

Thompson identified defenders Daniel Talia and Luke Thompson as two players, who could debut this season but said Walker had been the clear standout this pre-season.

"I know he's played a bit of football already, but Taylor Walker's really had an outstanding pre-season," he said.

"His body his even bigger again and he knows how to use it, so if he can stay sound and can work alongside Kurt Tippett up forward it's going to be a dangerous set up for us."

He said another player who would be looking to have an impact this year was mature-age rookie Ian Callinan.

Callinan, 28, was offered an AFL lifeline by the Crows after several dominant years in the SANFL and has impressed the club's coaching staff with his fitness and work ethic.

Thompson said he expected the 171cm forward to slot in easily at the elite level.

"I remember playing a game against Ian 10 years ago when I was still with Melbourne. I was playing for Sandringham in the VFL and he was playing for Tassie and I remember thinking, 'Gee this bloke is good'," Thompson said.

"He's got unbelievable skill and reads the game beautifully and I couldn't believe that he hadn't been picked up by an AFL club years ago, but he's got his chance now and I think he'll grab it with both hands."