A pair of losses over the past fortnight have pushed the Crows out of the top eight ahead of a high-stakes clash with the fourth-placed Demons on Sunday.
Gawn looms as the biggest of Melbourne's many threats, both figuratively and literally, after his commanding solo performance last week without axed ruck partner Brodie Grundy.
Reilly O'Brien will be charged with nullifying Gawn, while the Crows recalled veteran Matt Crouch to their midfield mix after losing Rory Laird to a shoulder injury.
"Gawn leads from the front," Nicks said.
"He's playing a lot more around the footy so that will be our challenge around what he is able to do with his midfield group and whether we can match that.
"We don't expect to come in and dominate them in that space, but (we need to) match that and give ourselves a chance to play."
Adding to the test is a venue - the MCG - where Adelaide have struggled in recent seasons and a poor 1-6 record away from home this season.
The Crows are on a seven-match losing streak at the 'G, dating back to the 2017 grand final.
But they were buoyed by a near-miss against Collingwood in round 15, when they fell just two points short of the ladder leaders.
"We actually really enjoyed playing on the MCG a couple of weeks ago," Nicks said.
"It gives you the space to work in and if you're there in the contest you give yourselves a chance."
The spotlight this week has been on Gawn and Grundy - and the fate of their high-profile ruck partnership - but the Crows haven't lost sight of another Melbourne game-breaker.
Christian Petracca has shifted forward despite fellow midfield star Clayton Oliver's ongoing absence with a hamstring injury, and has fired the Demons to consecutive wins with eight goals over the last two weeks.
"That's the challenge when you play Melbourne. You could keep throwing names at us, that's why they're such a good side," Nicks said.
"It looks like (Petracca) is more forward, hitting the scoreboard and a really tough match-up.
"The issue when you go up against Petracca is he's a speed and power player ... that's why he's so dominant.
"But our guys will put their heads down and go to work this weekend."
As well as missing prolific ball-winner Laird, the Crows have lost talented forward Josh Rachele to suspension.
Patrick Parnell and Harry Shcoenberg return, and Brayden Cook will play his first game of the season.
Melbourne recalled Adam Tomlinson to replace Harrison Petty (ribs), with Kade Chandler in for Charlie Spargo (omitted).
