WITH Troy Menzel flaunting his skills at training and Wayne Milera "eating up the work", the NAB Challenge is set to seriously influence the makeup of Adelaide's round one side.

Menzel was traded to the Crows from Carlton last October, while Milera was the club's first pick (No. 11) at the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.

Menzel's ability up forward is well known and although Milera has been training both as a forward and as a midfielder, the pair are pushing for a place in Adelaide's round one side.

Indeed, tall forward Josh Jenkins suggested as many 20 players would look to use the pre-season competition as a platform for securing a spot in the team that will face North Melbourne on March 26.

"There could be 15 to 20 guys who will use the NAB Cup as a springboard to put themselves in contention, or lock away a spot even for round one," Jenkins said.

"Troy's clearly got the skill set to play AFL and Wayne's come in as an 18-year-old and I can't speak highly enough of how he's training and how he just eats up the work.

"He's not afraid to back himself and that's why we picked him."

Jenkins also delivered a glowing report of the club's new defence coach James Podsiadly.

J-Pod retired last season after two years at West Lakes and despite playing as a key forward for the bulk of his career, spent the 2015 season in defence at SANFL level.

Jenkins said feedback from Adelaide's defenders suggested they were thrilled with the 2011 premiership winner's performance.

"I know the playing group really enjoy having someone who's literally straight out of the game," he said.

"He understands how hard the game is and how hard it is to continually back up … pre-season sessions, they can get on top of you.

"At times you don't see any light at the end of the tunnel.

"He's been really good keeping things fresh and changing things up for the defenders – they can't speak highly enough of what he's done with them and for them."