Reilly ready for Dees

Adelaide has strengthened its midfield by ushering back Brent Reilly for its match against Melbourne at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.

Reilly, who has been on the sidelines since breaking his wrist against the Western Bulldogs in Round 1, has been named on a seven-man interchange in the Crows' initial squad.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig said the 24-year-old would come under 'strong consideration' despite his limited game time this season.

"He did a bit of work with Stephen (Schwerdt) after training, handled the ball really well I thought. I don't think his fitness will be an issue at all," Craig said.

"We've been really pleased with what he's been able to do while he's been out. He was playing good footy in the NAB Cup and against the Western Bulldogs before he hurt himself."

Reilly recently had his cast removed from his wrist and lower arm and Craig was pleased to report there'd been no muscle 'wasting'. Reilly has suffered some stiffness in the arm but was finding it easier to move with every day of recovery.

The Crows enter their clash against the Demons as warm favourites and Craig said the pressure to beat a lower-ranked side was part of the team's challenge.

"Geelong and Hawthorn face it every week and the Western Bulldogs face it every week at the moment; as in the expectation that you should beat all these teams just because you haven't lost a game," he said.

"We face it to a certain extent because of our reasonable form at 5-2 playing a side that has won one game."

"All it means is that our preparation has got to be spot on. There's no guarantee of win or loss in high performance sport," he said.

"I'd like to think we don't need to be reminded as a club and our preparation hasn't changed, it's always diligent."

"If we do need reminding, just look back to last year when Melbourne were 0-9, I'm sure our guys will be spot on."

Craig has also been looking back into the Demons' more recent past with their amazing Round 7 victory against the Dockers of particular interest to the Adelaide coach.

He said that performance indicated that Melbourne would not be an easy team to beat.

"Their second half was exceptional and obviously Fremantle's second half was really poor," he said.

"I don't know Dean Bailey well but the little bit I do know about him I know he'll get them organised and will be coaching them really well."