Emerging names and new recruits both shaped selection questions for the two South Australian clubs on Friday at their respective intra-club sessions.
Adelaide ventured to Port Lincoln this week to host a four-quarter hitout at Centenary Oval, with a packed crowd rolling in to witness Matthew Nicks' gameplan up close.
With both left without bench rotations, players were afforded extra breaks and would swap between the 'blue' and 'yellow' sides.
Jordon Butts (hamstring), Wayne Milera (hamstring), Darcy Fogarty (quad), Rory Sloane (eye), Jake Soligo (ankle), Harry Schoenberg (Achilles) and Nick Murray (knee) all missed through injury, while Rory Laird was absent due to a wedding.
Adelaide CEO Tim Silvers detailed on Saturday that both Butts and Milera are set to play in upcoming pre-season matches, however Sloane isn't expected to feature in the Crows' season opener against the Suns.
Silvers confirmed to ABC SA that Sloane will lift his training loads in the coming weeks, with a plan to have the former skipper back at full training within three weeks.
In the absence of key pillars Butts and Murray, key defensive duo Mark Keane and James Borlase took the lead on the last line for the more favoured side at the intra-club, with the latter impressing with his size and composure.
Borlase, who was given another chance over the off-season after being delisted and then re-drafted, is set to rival Keane for a spot alongside Butts in Nicks' rearguard.
Keane too was collected under the tough conditions, while sophomore Max Michalanney looks set to add to his impressive debut season as a lockdown option who can offer plenty on the attacking end.
Josh Worrell was also in support and firms as a senior piece, while top draft selection Dan Curtin did his Round 1 debut chances no harm, showing off his clean ball use and calm presence.
Elliott Himmelberg took on a more defensive role as he looks to prove his worth in a free agency year.
In midfield, captain Jordan Dawson was a dominant force, leading by example after claiming his maiden All-Australian blazer last year.
Small forward pair Izak Rankine and Josh Rachele shared midfield duties as they balance their roles across the front half.
Emerging ruck-forward Riley Thilthorpe ended his afternoon with a game-high three goals after a dominant start to proceedings, with the 21-year-old gaining plenty of plaudits from assistant Nathan Van Berlo post-game.
"Riley is another one who has had an outstanding pre-season and it's no surprise when guys have had continuity and strong summers that they set themselves up to perform really well," van Berlo told the club's media team.
"He's certainly done that, in the last couple of weeks in particular in our match play and today he showed that when he gets a chance to jump at the footy ahead of the ball and follow up and compete in the midfield, he's certainly a very talented player for us.
"There's some really pleasing signs for him."
The Crows got through their intra-club without any injury concerns as they now turn their attention to pre-season fixtures and a Round 1 bout with Gold Coast.
Over at Alberton, the Power's top line of midfield talent flexed their muscle in Port Adelaide's final intra-club session.
New captain Connor Rozee and partner-in-crime Zak Butters led the charge, while Ollie Wines has continued to press his case as a name not to forget for 2024.
Further positives came in the shape of young forward Mitch Georgiades' successful return to action, with the emerging spearhead getting through unscathed after a season on the sidelines due to an ACL injury.
Power fans got a good look at their new ruck stocks as recruits Ivan Soldo and Jordon Sweet went head-to-head, with the former perhaps the pick of the pair despite Sweet's strong signs to press for a senior chance.
A sour note came as new key defender Esava Ratugolea exited the game with a knee injury.
Already without talls Aliir Aliir (back), Trent McKenzie (hamstring) and Jeremy Finlayson (shin), Ratugolea's injury concern isn't expected to keep him out of action for long.
“We're not overly concerned," assistant Tyson Goldsack told club media of Ratugolea's knee issue after the hitout.
"Just a little pinch on the knee. We expect him to be okay for next week. Whether or not we roll him out next week will be up to the medical team.
"He's done a lot of work so he hasn't missed much footy at all over the summer. We've got two more games (in pre-season) so whether or not we choose to play him or not."
Veteran forward Charlie Dixon also didn't see through the full contest, with the club having planned for a limited session as the 33-year-old manages his workload.
Both Aliir and Finlayson are expected to feature in next week's match simulation session against Adelaide, while McKenzie is less likely.
In the absence of both Finlayson and Dixon, key forward Todd Marshall led all goalkickers with three majors for the evening, with Sam Powell-Pepper matching his efforts on the scorer's sheet.
Thomas Scully and Preston Cockatoo-Collins (SANFL) booted multiple goals each, while all of Darcy Byrne-Jones, Jed McEntee, Butters, Tom Anastasopoulos, Sweet, Jason Horne-Francis, Lachie Charleson, Jackson Mead, Francis Evans, Will Lorenz and Oliver Cheesman (SANFL) also contributed.