ADELAIDE might have to wait until 90 minutes before the first bounce on Sunday before knowing whether Colin Sylvia will take his place in Melbourne's line-up.
Sylvia - who suffered a broken jaw in a pre-season clash against West Coast last month - has been selected at centre half-forward although coach Dean Bailey hinted he was no certainty to play.
Speaking from Junction Oval on Friday morning, Bailey said the potential return of defender Colin Garland would also boost the Demons but Sylvia was one for his opponents to be more wary of.
"We've still got to put the team in later today," Bailey said.
"We'll just see how Col goes today. He's still putting through his preparation today, so we'll wait and see."
Sylvia took part in a vigorous boxing program on Friday morning, with the Demons to train again on Saturday ahead of a clash that has both sides searching for win No.1 for 2010.
Garland's selection would end a long road back for the 21-year-old, who suffered a foot stress fracture in round one last year.
The Demons might fancy their chances of knocking off the Crows after putting in a much-improved effort against Collingwood last week.
But Bailey knows Adelaide, having lost to Fremantle and the Sydney Swans, will be hard to contain.
"Were playing a club that I think most pundits would have in the top eight … I think some have got them in the top six," Bailey said.
"So they're going to be a challenge for us on Sunday, but for us we need to keep that consistency in performance now."
He's also aware that the Crows still have players who can perform, despite an injury list of similar length to his own.
"You go through the list of players that are still playing for them. They've still got some superstars that are playing for them," Bailey said.
"(Andrew) McLeod and (Tyson) Edwards, you can certainly throw Simon Goodwin in and young (Kurt) Tippett’s been a real find for them up forward as a goalkicker.
"And I'd argue that (Jason) Porplyzia and (Brett) Burton are two very difficult forwards to match up on … you take them lightly and they'll make you pay."