ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Jordan Dawson of the Crows shows the fans his jumper after winning the game with a goal after the siren during the 2022 AFL Round 03 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Adelaide Oval on April 01, 2022 In Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Adelaide Crows are confident that Jordan Dawson will ready to face his old side Sydney on Saturday following a bout with gastro this week.

One of the recruits of the year, the 25-year-old is putting on a career best season with elite averages.

He is also averaging a whopping 582.6 meters gained.

Speaking to media on Friday, senior coach Matthew Nicks said that he was expecting Dawson to play this weekend.

"He's fine. He's pulled up really well, missed Wednesday's main session, but that was more precautionary than anything," Nicks said.

"Some of these gastros that are going through at the moment are 24 hours and we were a bit lucky with that one.

"He's pretty confident. He trained Thursday, got another session in today that he'll get done and we'll make sure that he's ready to go."

The Sturt product requested a trade back home at the end of last year, after six years in Sydney.

Across six seasons, Dawson played 64 games and had a standout season in his last, finishing third in the Swans best and fairest.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 11: Jordan Dawson of the Swans celebrates kicking a goal during the round 17 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium on July 11, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Nicks is hoping he can provide more than just his skills this week, with insight into his former club.

"'Daws' has done a fair bit of oppo (opposition analysis) this week for us," he said.

"When a player comes from another club, he knows them inside out, he knows how they play, he knows the coach, has a huge amount of respect for them so that was really interesting, hearing from him this week, and what it is that Sydney do well.

"They've changed some stuff probably since he's left, but he knows the players well, he knows the ground really well. We'll go up and have a run out there this afternoon and we'll probably hear from him again, but without putting too much pressure on Jordy and what Sydney do, he's given us a lot of information."

The Crows go into the clash this week unchanged from last weeks five-point downing in a thriller against Collingwood.

Up against sixth placed Sydney at the SCG, Nicks is confident in his side's ability to win.

"There's a fair few things we've got to get right. They're an outstanding side, especially on the SCG, they play their best footy there," he said.

"That's our challenge, is to go across and not many people will have us for the win on this one, but we will. We enjoy those challenges.

"I'd say if you look across the year, we've risen to the more tougher challenge and this is definitely one of those."

Adelaide will look to cause an upset when they face the Swans at the SCG on Saturday at 1.45pm AEST.