Injured Adelaide midfielder Rory Sloane says the team is sticking together as they attempt to honour Phil Walsh in style.

The Crows will play their first AFL match since their coach’s shock death when they line up in Saturday night’s clash with West Coast at Domain Stadium.

Sloane will miss the match because of a fractured jaw, but he has flown with his teammates to Perth to stay close to everyone during a tough time.

“It’s about keeping an eye on each other,” Sloane said.

“That’s what we’ll do. We’ll stay tight as a team, and everyone will look out for each other.

“Sticking together’s the best thing. That’s where the guys have felt the most normal – is at the footy club and around each other.”

West Coast coach Adam Simpson says it’s hard to predict how players from both sides will handle the emotion of Saturday’s match.

Walsh spent five years as an assistant at West Coast.

Despite the emotional circumstances, Simpson wants his team to do their utmost to win.

“When the siren goes to start the game, we need to be ruthless,” Simpson said.

“Adelaide are the same. I think both teams will come out pretty hard.”