Adelaide midfielder Matt Crouch has earned an AFL recall for the clash with Hawthorn after producing two standout displays in the SANFL.

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has told Matt Crouch he wants the club champion to remain at the Crows next season after earning an AFL recall.

Crouch is reportedly open to offers from rivals with the 2017 All Australian twice dropped from the Crows' side this season.

Crouch responded to his latest axing by collecting 42 disposals and then 41 touches at state league level, with the standout displays earning him a call-up for Sunday's away clash with Hawthorn.

Nicks, asked if he had told Crouch that he wants the 2017 club champion to stay at the Crows next season, replied: "Yes, I have."

Nicks has opted recently for younger players such as Sam Berry, Harry Schoenberg and Jake Soligo to team with experienced on-ballers Rory Laird and Ben Keays.

But he said the midfield dynamic was not simply based on age - Crouch is 27-years-old.

"We haven't mentioned anything about young or older players," Nicks said.

"We talked about the balance of our midfield group.

"We are careful with some of the language we use, it's not about older-younger, it's about a balance of midfield.

"And we have been really impressed the last three or four weeks with where that midfield group have been at."

Nicks said Crouch "couldn't have done more" at state league level.

"Matty is an important part of our squad," he said.

"He couldn't have done more, Matty and that's exactly what we asked of him.

"He has done an amazing job and went back into the SANFL and performed."