Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson will miss Friday night's grudge game against Port Adelaide after his brother's funeral.

Dawson and Crows staff and players attended a service for Jaryd Dawson in Robe in South Australia's south-east on Wednesday.

Crows coach Matthew Nicks says Dawson is going "as well as he can be" but won't play against arch-rivals Port.

"It's a big week for the family," Nicks told reporters on Thursday.

"And the community of Robe yesterday was a really special day ... the entire community came together and just bonded and they were there for the family.

"It was an emotional day but it was a really important one and hopefully for Jordan and his family it allows them then to work on what is next."

The Adelaide skipper missed a one-point win over St Kilda before playing in a 52-point loss to Brisbane.

"We will just give him whatever time he needs," Nicks said.

"I'm pretty sure that what the footy environment provides is a way for him to really put his mind into footy.

"You saw it last week, this incredible effort, the performance he put out there on the field, led from the front, so I'm pretty sure he'd be keen to get back in there as soon as he can."

Nicks made four changes, with Dawson out and a trio dropped - Charlie Edwards, Finnbar Maley and Nick Murray.

Young gun Dan Curtin returns for his first AFL game since a dislocated kneecap last January with Alex Neal-Bullen, Jake Soligo and James Borlase also summoned.

Curtin is set for a midfield role on return from his serious injury.

"We feel like he has (done enough), nowadays it's the amount of work that goes into rehabbing a player," Nicks said.

The Power selected Todd Marshall as a replacement for Jack Watkins.