HEATH Shaw's communication style creates headlines, but good luck trying to conquer the Adelaide Oval cauldron without it, especially in a final.

That is the message from Greater Western Sydney's Adam Tomlinson, one of many defenders at whom Shaw will be barking orders on Thursday night.

GWS, swept aside by Geelong in the final round of the regular season, is going to have to do a lot of things right to topple Adelaide.

The Giants' defence faces a particularly tough test against the minor premiers.

Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts headline a star-studded forward line that has helped the Crows become the league's most potent side.

The noise generated by a sold-out crowd at arguably the AFL's most intimidating venue will make it an even more immense challenge.

Whenever he walked to the middle of Adelaide Oval or any ground, cricket icon Ricky Ponting had a habit of greeting partners at the crease with the words "nice loud calls, mate".

You suspect Shaw would be the sort of batsman to oblige.

The back-line general is forthright in everything he does and says. Even after the final siren in round 19, when GWS beat Fremantle, he exchanged heated words with teammate Aidan Corr.

"It might look like he's giving us a bake," Tomlinson said.

"People from the outside think he's carrying on, but to be honest that's just the easiest and most direct way for him to instruct us on the field.

"Especially when there's a big crowd, if you want to get your point across and make sure somebody listens then scream at them.

"Heath's a tremendous leader in the back line. He always gives great direction and I absolutely love playing with him."

Tomlinson added that a qualifying final at a ground where players generally struggled to hear each other was not the time for anyone to be apprehensive.

"Everyone will be screaming at everyone," the foundation Giant said.

Former Richmond star Brett Deledio noted it was important the visitors "silence the crowd" in the opening quarter.

"Take the sting out of the game early. Try and kick a couple," Deledio said.

"You certainly notice when they (a home crowd) are quiet. You know you're going OK."

GWS key forward Jeremy Cameron, who hails from the tiny town of Dartmoor close to the Victoria-South Australia border, joked it would be a home crowd for him.

"I've got a lot of friends from school that have moved to Adelaide for uni," Cameron said.