Highly-rated SANFL gun Shane McAdam is looming as a key in the Carlton and Adelaide's deal for Mitch McGovern, with the Crows keen on drafting the 23-year-old.

Carlton and Gold Coast, who have both been handed special assistance by the AFL in the form of special assistance, are both keen on nomiating McAdam, meaning the decision will ultimately rest with the player.

If McAdam does choose Carlton, the Blues can either decide to trade him to the Crows as part of the McGovern deal, or draft him themselves.

Because of the new powers handed to the Blues and the Suns this year, the other 16 clubs would have to do deals with one of those two clubs to land McAdam.

Originally from WA and the nephew of 1989 Magarey medallist Gilbert McAdam, the dynamic 185cm forward has been turning heads for Sturt in the SANFL.