Adelaide tyro Patrick Dangerfield is presenting a near irresistible case for an AFL debut, despite living across the border in Victoria while he completes Year 12.

Named as an emergency for the Crows last weekend before being released to play for elite level Under-18 team the Geelong Falcons, Dangerfield warmed up with 14 possessions as an onballer in the opening term against Calder.

The coaching staff then moved him forward, where he booted 8.4 in the remaining three quarters.

It was a performance that drew rave reviews from Falcons officials, and forced Adelaide to think seriously about promoting him for Saturday's clash with Carlton at the MCG.

Midfielders Chris Knights and Bryce Campbell and defender Kris Massie are other players pushing their case for inclusion this week.

"Adelaide may have copped some criticism for drafting him ahead of Brad Ebert but I've absolutely no doubt that injury permitting Pat Dangerfield is a 200-game AFL player," Falcons regional manager Michael Turner told AAP.

"I've been doing this for 14 years and in terms of preparing AFL players the Falcons have probably been the most successful.

"The guys we've had through include Jonathan Brown, Luke Hodge, Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel and Cameron Ling, and Dangerfield is as good as any of the players I've seen coming out of the program."

Turner, in constant contact with the Crows as they track Dangerfield's progress, said the 18-year-old's debut would have occurred weeks ago if he had moved straight to Adelaide after being drafted.

"If he'd opted to go to a private school in Adelaide he would've been playing already," he said.

"He's ready to play AFL footy this year, and the way he's coped with the distractions of travelling from home to Geelong and then flying a lot to Adelaide (to train when school commitments permit) and coming back here and performing shows how focused he is."

Crows football operations manager John Reid said the club had engaged in detailed discussions with Dangerfield's parents about possible scenarios if he were to make his AFL debut in 2008.

Dangerfield has been an emergency for each of the past two weeks.

"That's one predicament we've discussed with his mum and dad, it hasn't happened yet but if it does we'll work with them over what will work best," Reid said.

"The possible scenario is if he gets a game and plays well and warrants another game Neil would be happy to have him playing while staying in Melbourne and for us to have him whenever it suits best."

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