A newfound confidence amongst Adelaide’s young SANFL side is behind the team’s recent run of good form, says Crows rookie Alex Spina.

The SANFL Crows have revived their season in the past month with a string of competitive performances against quality opposition. Adelaide registered back-to-back wins over finals contenders South Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens before producing a spirited display against the highly-rated Bulldogs last weekend.

The resurgence came after the side struggled in the early rounds of its debut season in the local competition, losing six of its opening seven matches by an average of 39 points.

Spina said the growing belief amongst the young group was the driving force behind the side’s recent upswing.

“I think it’s just that confidence of playing together for an extended time now which has got the boys playing some good footy,” Spina told afc.com.au.

“Nothing much has really changed with our structures. I think we are beginning to see the team really gel together now coming off the back of two good wins and another close one against the Dogs.

“We were pretty disappointed to go down last week, but we’ve built up some decent form and hopefully we can continue that for the rest of the year.”

Spina has been one of Adelaide’s quiet achievers in the SANFL this season after making his league debut with the Crows in Round One. The versatile 18-year-old has averaged 17 disposals a game and booted four goals from roles on the wing, half-forward and half-back.

The skilful rookie represented South Australia in last year’s Under-18 National Championships and played 12 SANFL reserves games with North Adelaide before Adelaide swooped to secure the youngster in the 2013 AFL Rookie Draft.

Spina said he has enjoyed the challenge of honing his craft through a variety of positions in his first year of senior SANFL football.

“I don’t really have a favourite spot yet and I’ve enjoyed pretty much everywhere I’ve played this year,” Spina said.

“It has been a big change playing against bigger bodies and the ball moves a lot quicker compared to playing reserves.

 “For me, I pride myself on my clean hands and decision-making skills and I’ve found that has helped me find that little bit of extra time to adjust to league level.

“It’s a lot easier when you have the ball in your hands, but I think all of the first-year players have really adapted well to the level.”

Adelaide’s next assignment is against Spina’s former club North Adelaide this Sunday at Prospect Oval. Last year’s SANFL Grand Finalists demolished West Adelaide by 87 points in Round 10 and sit in fifth place on the SANFL ladder.

Tom Lynch will line up with the state league Crows to play his first game in seven weeks after suffering a fractured jaw in Adelaide’s Round Seven clash with Melbourne.

Spina said Adelaide was keen to redeem itself against the Roosters, after North handed the Crows their biggest loss of the season back in Round One.

“North looked terrific against the Bloods, so it’s another good challenge for us this week,” he said.

“They really like to spread hard and get on the outside where they can move the ball quite quickly. “

The match will be a great test for Heath Younie’s men to gauge their progress since the 48-point defeat in the opening round.

“Hopefully we can bring the form that we have carried in the past few weeks and get a win.”

The clash kicks off at 2.10pm at Prospect Oval with free entry to Crows ticketed members.

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