'Be smarter': Crows on score woes ahead of Dockers test

But entering Friday night's fixture against Fremantle at Adelaide Oval, the Crows rank above only Richmond, Essendon and Carlton - the bottom three on the ladder - in scoring.

Adelaide assistant coach Nathan van Berlo says the reasons are varied.

"In terms of our offence, we're always looking to try and fine tune areas of that," he said.

"We know what our best looks like and how we challenge the opposition teams to the best of our ability.

"Also, we've played some elite defences in the first three rounds of the season."

Van Berlo said it was overly simplistic to blame sluggish up-field ball movement.

"There's definitely times where we can look to be more aggressive with our ball movement," he said.

"There's times when we need to be smarter with our ball movement and ensuring everyone's on the same page."

"We understand we've got a really potent forward line and if we give them the best opportunity, we're more than likely going to score.

"So finding that balance is what we're working through."

Adelaide (12th, one win, two losses) also has another area of concern: stoppage and contested possession numbers are in arrears of the third-placed Dockers (two wins, one loss).

Freo (426) rank fourth in the competition for winning contested possessions, with Adelaide (397) eighth.

And in terms of allowing opponents contested possessions per game, the Dockers rank second, Adelaide 15th. 

"We look at stoppages as a holistic approach - and how we help it from ahead of the ball, how we assist our backs, and how we get the job done inside," van Berlo said.

"When you look at contested position, that doesn't fall wholeheartedly on a midfield group.

"Loose ball gets, contested marks - all these sorts of areas that also fall under contested possessions are a team responsibility as well."

Adelaide made four changes with captain Jordan Dawson, veteran Taylor Walker, ruckman Reilly O'Brien and defender James Borlase selected.

They replace Jordon Butts (concussion) and axed trio Chayce Jones, Luke Nankervis and Finnbar Maley for a clash against an unchanged Fremantle.