ADELAIDE defender Andy Otten faces an uncertain future despite keeping Coleman Medal contender Ben Brown goalless at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

It's just the third time the North Melbourne full-forward has failed to score a major this season.

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Otten only found out he'd be playing on Friday night with coach Don Pyke calling him with news Alex Keath was out with hamstring tightness and that Brown was his to tame.

After keeping Brown to just four kicks, the out-of-contract player was quick to get on the front foot after the match.

"I'm keen to go on," Otten told Adelaide radio station FiveAA.

"But I've been told it's a bit of a numbers game and I'll have to wait and find out."

Pyke confirmed the 29-year-old's fate was undecided but added "he certainly didn't do himself any harm" with his performance against the Roos.

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"I thought his job tonight was outstanding," Pyke said.

"He reads the game really well Andy, his positioning is really good and he had a very good night.

"We're assessing the list at the moment and I guess we've got a number of guys that are off contract and we need to assess exactly what it looks like through the next six weeks or so.

"We know his leadership and his quality and you saw tonight his capability so that'll happen in due course of time."

Despite the glowing endorsement, Otten hasn't been in favour during the second half of the year.

He's only played seven games this season with his last match against Hawthorn in round 13.

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But he should line up against Carlton in the Crows' final game of the season with Tom Doedee suffering a suspected broken collarbone in a third-quarter collision with Jed Anderson.

Pyke says it's a disappointing end to a breakout season for the defender.

"He's had a fantastic year, some of his efforts tonight just epitomised what we've seen all year," he said.

"Some of aerial stuff is outstanding, some of his third-in support to help his team mates out and that last contest, which looks like will be his last contest for the year, again shows why we are so rapt about Tom on the list."

While it's season over for Doedee, Pyke says he's still one of the frontrunners for the NAB AFL Rising Star Award.  

"I think they'll take it on the body of evidence he's produced over the previous 20-odd weeks so I think it's pretty solid."

Keath is a chance of returning for next Saturday night's clash against Carlton, while Daniel Talia, who's been out with bone bruising, will be put his hand up for selection as well.