ADELAIDE coach Phil Walsh insists Fremantle will be "vulnerable" at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night and has talked up his side's stoppage strength.

The Dockers sit atop the AFL ladder, undefeated after eight rounds of the season.

Earlier in the week Crows skipper Taylor Walker questioned whether that record meant the Dockers were "due" for their first loss. 

Adelaide is equal first in the League for clearances, along with Hawthorn and Gold Coast; Fremantle is ranked equal ninth.

Combined with a home ground advantage and the Dockers' flight from Perth, Walsh said his Crows were in with a genuine chance on Saturday. 

"You get on a plane, you travel, you're vulnerable, we've played well at Adelaide Oval – I'm really looking forward to it," Walsh said.

"They've always been a difficult team to beat, they've always been a difficult team to score against – that's the trademark of Ross Lyon's teams.

"Over the last two years he's added a little bit more offence though … he's a threat to blow open a game early as he's been able to do a couple of times this year.

"It's like any team though, you need to get field position and that starts in the centre bounce – that's an area where we've been very good and hopefully we can have an advantage with that, even though their midfield and ruckman are as good as any going around.

"We actually are the number one stoppage team in the AFL." 

Still missing a plethora of first-choice players, the Crows will have to upset the Dockers with an under-strength side. 

Rory Sloane (cheekbone), Brad Crouch (foot) and Richard Douglas (foot) all remain at least a few weeks away from a return, while defensive playmaker Ricky Henderson has again been withdrawn late due to a back complaint. 

Given the absence of half-back flankers Brodie Smith (concussion) and Matthew Jaensch (knee), Henderson's injury severely depletes the side's defensive stocks. 

Walsh backed his players to cover the losses, though, even if it meant he would have to "reshuffle" the line up.