Matthew Nicks says the Crows will play their “best players” in their final pre-season game and this will include a high draft pick

Adelaide’s highest ever draft selection Fischer McAsey will get a Round 1 audition in the Crows final pre-season game as Matthew Nicks says their “best players” will face Gold Coast.

Sixth AFL Draft pick Fischer McAsey is presented with a jersey by Adelaide Crows coach Mathew Nicks after being drafted. The utility is set to get a chance to cement a Round 1 spot (AAP Image/Michael Dodge)

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Matthew Nicks says the Crows will play their “best players” in their final pre-season game against the Gold Coast and dropped a huge hint the club’s top draft pick Fischer McAsey is in line to play in Round 1.

At the club’s Members’ Meeting on Monday, Nicks said the Crows would go into Friday’s clash against the Suns at Noarlunga with 22 players as Adelaide ramps up its preparation for opening round clash against Sydney.

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“It’ll be one where we’ll play a strong side,” he said.

“We’re going to play 22 players, that’ll be the first time we’ve done that so far.

“We’ll be looking to really get some cohesion among the group.

“You’ll see our best players out there for this game, the guys who deserve to have a crack at it and we’re really now looking towards round one.”

Nicks said McAsey hadn’t put a foot wrong since coming to the Crows. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge)

One of these players will be the Crows highest ever draft selection McAsey, as Nicks informed the No. 6 pick on stage he would be playing against the Suns after playing in the Under 23 trial against Port Adelaide on Saturday.

“Fischer hasn’t put a foot wrong since he came on board and we expect that from him as a really early, high draft pick,” he said.

“(He’s) a fantastic key back and has done some amazing work with Tals (Daniel Talia).”

The Crows have gone down in both its first Marsh Community Series game against Melbourne and the Under 23 trial against Port.

Nicks said inconsistency would be expected from the Crows “as we try to change some of the habits of the past”.

He said despite the Suns finishing bottom in 2019, they would hold another stern test for his side on Friday.

“Some people may say “oh you are playing the Gold Coast” but this is when the Gold Coast are at their best,” he said.

“They are a really young and talented side coming off a huge win over the Geelong.”