Adelaide's comeback kid Andy Otten is destined to become an elite AFL midfielder, Crows coach Neil Craig says.

The 21-year-old Otten ended his year-long absence on Friday night in the pre-season openers, returning from a knee reconstruction.

Otten was the runner-up in the AFL Rising Star award in his debut season as a defender in 2009.

But as the Crows lost to Melbourne by nine points and trounced Port Adelaide by 32 points at AAMI Stadium on Friday night, Otten was influential in the midfield.

"We know he can play back, he has done that with relatively good distinction, but I think it is time now for him to step up into the midfield," Craig said.

"... I like his evasion, he's very strong around stoppages, his handball needs to be much better and he knows that, his kick has improved a lot.

"So he becomes good flexibility for us.

"He's even pushing to play forward a bit but I'd like to keep him in the midfield if I can."

Otten had his left knee reconstructed in December 2009 and Craig said his recovery had been faultless.

"He has been very diligent and he's in good shape, he has used the time really well," Craig said.

"Once he got his knee fixed, he then concentrated on his aerobic condition to make sure that was going to be a good enough level to play in the midfield.

"Touchwood, he can continue, because if he can remain sound with that knee, I think he's going to be an elite player in the competition."

Craig was also bullish about mature aged recruit Ian Callinan, an elusive forward who the Crows rookie listed at age 28.

"The more he plays, the better he will be," Craig said of Callinan, who first trialled with an AFL club in 2000 at Collingwood.

"I am not sure how far Ian will go, it will be up to him.

"But even now, sitting back, I hate to say it, but the recruiters of the AFL, which we're in it, have done him a disservice - he should have been in the competition five years ago."

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