IT'S A PREDICTION that scares Adelaide assistant coach Scott Camporeale.

He's already one of the most powerful and influential players in the competition, but Camporeale has warned the football world to brace itself for the improvement of Patrick Dangerfield.

The 22-year-old, dubbed 'The Raging Bull' by teammates, was simply awesome against Geelong two weeks ago, picking up 22 contested possessions (31 overall), kicking three goals and laying five tackles.

Against Carlton last Friday night he was a little more subdued with one goal and 11 of his 16 possessions contested.

Amazingly, after being rewarded for an incredible 2012 with All Australian selection, Camporeale expected 'Danger' to take his game to further heights this season.

"That's scary if he takes it to another level, there's going to be some fireworks," Camporeale said.

"He's really improved, particularly over the past 12 months, he's a great student to work with – he listens and he's trying to get better all the time.

"There's still a little bit of improvement left in him and you saw against Geelong what he can really do in a not-so-dominant side."

But Camporeale said it would be the combined performances of all players that would see the Crows succeed.

"The strength of our club is [we have] everyone contributing and we're not relying on just one or two," he said.

"If you saw last year, there wasn't too many teams that got hold of us, we were probably the only team that had two All Australians in there (the midfield) and arguably Sam Jacobs was a bit stiff not to make it.

"Still with [Rory] Sloane, [David] Mackay, [Jason] Porplyzia, all those guys to still get through there, I think it's a really good mix.

"If our good players play well again and can be injury free, no doubt we'll be successful again."

Adelaide is also confident both injured forwards Jason Porplyzia and Ian Callinan will be ready to go in time for the side's round one clash with Essendon on March 22.

Porplyzia was rushed to hospital after last Friday night's game against Carlton with a stomach ulcer.

The 28-year-old was at training on Monday morning and, although he'll be closely monitored in the lead-up to round one, Camporeale said the setback wouldn't hold him up.

"There's no point rushing, we've got two weeks to get him right, he's OK, he feels OK," Camporeale said.

"[The doctors] said it's under control, they worked out what it is and he'll just be on some anti-acid tablets and he'll be fine.

"On the doctor's order we'll just keep him quiet this week and get him ready for Essendon."

Callinan was subbed out of last Friday night's game at quarter-time after injuring his left knee and will have scans on Monday afternoon.

"We don't think it's too much trouble, he'll be in the mix for round one and he'll just take it lightly over the next couple of weeks," Camporeale said.

"He looks like he's moving around OK so we'll see what the scan says."

Patrick Dangerfield is a midfielder in NAB AFL Fantasy. He averaged 101.91 points in 2012.
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Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.