Adelaide will debut their 8th player of the season when Brayden Cook gets his first taste of the big time.

Cook will debut this week after 12 games in the SANFL where the forward has shown a good eye around goal. Cook has booted nine goals and has impressed throughout the latter part of the season.

The Crows have invested heavily in youth this season with Luke Pedlar, Riley Thilthorpe, James Rowe, Sam Berry, Nicholas Murray, Josh Worrell and Ronin O'Connor all debuting this season.

Adelaide v Port Adelaide - 2021 AFL Community Series
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 07: James Rowe of the Crows handballs during the 2021 AFL Community Series match between the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power at Flinders University Stadium on March 07, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Adelaide's investment in youth has seen past player Sam Jacobs call for patience as the Crows look to slowly turn their fortunes around.

Speaking on Sportsday SA, Jacobs said that his former club are on the right track and that their young players deserved time to grown and develop.

Jacobs sees Darcy Fogarty as one of the future stars of the Crows but called for patience and calm to allow the big forward to learn his craft.

“I reckon one, who gets some pretty harsh critics at times, is Darcy Fogarty,” Jacobs said.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Darcy Fogarty of the Crows kicks on goal during the 2019 AFL round 21 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium on August 11, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I think now we’re starting to see him find that consistency in games at the moment.

“We all know he’s a beautiful kick. It’s a tough position to play, as a key forward.

“He’s only 21-22 (years old) so it’s going to take time but I think now we’re starting to see he’s consistently in games longer which is important.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 07: (L-R) Eddie Betts and Sam Jacobs of the Crows celebrate as they walk from the ground after defeating the Greater Western Sydney Giant during the AFL First Qualifying Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Adelaide Oval on September 7, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

“He’s starting to hit the scoreboard, so we know that it should be a focus to get the ball in his hands because he’s going to kick the goal more times than not.”

The Crows take on Port Adelaide in Showdown 50 this weekend. Adelaide Oval is expecting to host a crowd of 15,000 for the clash on Saturday night.