Adelaide key forward Mark Stevens kicked four goals in a half in a welcome opening to the season in the Crows' first AFL practice match of the year.

Stevens was restricted to just three matches last season with a chronic knee injury which threatened to end his career.

But after sitting on the bench for the first half of tonight's practice match against a combined side made up of players from SANFL club Norwood and North Adelaide, he starred in the second half in a major boost for the Crows season.

Adelaide was far too strong for its opposition winning 22.15 (147) to 3.4 (22).

The other major positive for the Crows was the form of youngster Brent Reilly in a new role in the midfield, as Adelaide looked to bolster its ageing centre square brigade.

Reilly, 21, and with just 21 AFL games experience, was a rising star nominee as a rebounding defender last season but played four quarters in the midfield.

He was the best player on the ground and also drifted forward to kick two goals.

Fellow youngster Graham Johnbock, 22, also mixed spells on the halfback and half forward line with stints in the midfield, in what is also likely a sign for things to come this season.

Adelaide is looking to decrease its reliance on older midfield stars Andrew McLeod, Mark Ricciuto, Tyson Edwards and Simon Goodwin.

Another big plus for Adelaide was its wealth of forward options with small forward Scott Welsh kicking five goals and big men Ian Perrie, Trent Hentschel, Rhett Biglands and Nathan Bock all looking threatening at times.

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