ADELAIDE'S celebrated indigenous stalwart Graham Johncock has been told he's still needed, despite continued rejection at the selection table.

Johncock is likely to miss Adelaide's Indigenous Round match against North Melbourne on Sunday as his career hangs in the balance.

The 30-year-old has been overlooked for a game since round four, but his captain Nathan van Berlo is adamant Johncock still has much to offer.

"He has been getting some good feedback from the coaches as well as the playing group that we need him," van Berlo told reporters on Monday.

"He is an important player to the playing group. We know that. The club knows that. All the supporters know how important Graham is for us."

Johncock, a 227-gamer, made his name as a defender but struggled when permanently moved forward this season by Crows coach Brenton Sanderson.

"It's a matter of him working with match committee and the coaches to show that he's ready to come back and the play the role they need of him," van Berlo said.

The Crows are still in touch of a top four spot but sit a win-and-a-half behind Fremantle and the Sydney Swans who occupy fourth and fifth on the ladder respectively with 22 premiership points.

They managed their best performance of the season against St Kilda on Sunday night and van Berlo says his side will pose a genuine premiership threat even if it doesn't make the top four.

"We'll back ourselves in to win games of footy, whether it be minor round or finals footy if we're playing," van Berlo said.

"We certainly know that our best will be good enough.

"We just need to put ourselves in winning positions and make sure that we make the most of it."

The Crows' skipper confidently declared the team was finally hitting its straps after a forgettable start to the season.

Van Berlo and his teammates will wear a specially designed Indigenous Round guernsey this weekend against North Melbourne, with the navy blue on the club's traditional strip changed to black.
 
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry