Adelaide have been forced into a late change to their squad, with listed emergency Jackson Hately ruled out through a non-COVID-related illness.

The Crows confirmed that Hately will be replaced by young forward Lachie Gollant as part of Matthew Nicks' 26-man squad that will face Collingwood at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

While COVID has run rife through the league in the past week, including the Crows for Round 17, Adelaide have noted that Hately is battling illness as opposed to the virus.

Hately has managed just the 14 games across two seasons with the Crows since switching from GWS, playing 11 matches this season.

The former Giant was initially dropped from Nicks' side to face the Magpies, joining Matt Crouch and Jimmy Rowe as the omissions for this weekend, while Shane McAdam, Mitch Hinge and Lachlan Murphy were named as inclusions.

Hately's absence will see one of Gollant, Ben Davis, Elliott Himelberg or Rowe named as the medical sub for Saturday's clash, which will be confirmed by the Crows one hour before the match commences.

The Round 18 fixture is scheduled for 1:45pm (AEST) at Adelaide Oval, with the Crows seeking their sixth win of ther season after consecutive losses.