The Crows had to beat West Coast at AAMI Stadium on Saturday to avoid a potential drop to seventh spot and are likely to need another four points against Carlton at Docklands next week to secure an all-important home final.
The Western Bulldogs’ win over Geelong on Friday night all but ended Adelaide’s top-four aspirations, but Craig said his team still had plenty to play for.
“We’ve already spoken about it as a group. Next week’s game and the pressure of it is really important because it means we give ourselves a better opportunity to be successful in an elimination final,” Craig said after the 74-point win over the Eagles.
“What we’re fighting for now is the capacity to play a home final, which is still not cemented in place. We want to go into the finals with the best opportunity we can to start to change the [poor recent] finals record that we have.”
Two first-choice Crows missing from Saturday's starting line-up will come into considerations in the coming days.
Nathan Bock has discarded the moon boot and will test out his injured heel on Monday with the aim of playing against the Blues.
Brett Burton, who has missed two weeks with a badly corked buttock, has made good progress and will ramp up his training load in the coming days.
Patrick Dangerfield and Taylor Walker spent the weekend in the SANFL and will also come under consideration.
Craig said it could get tight for spots in the Crows’ side come September.
“Hopefully, Brett will be available and Patrick plays well. Then we’ve also got [draftee] Phil Davis who didn’t play today because he was an emergency,” he said.
“You’ve got Jared Petrenko and these sorts of players playing good football in the SANFL. You’d value your position at the moment if you’re in the team.”
The Crows reported two new injuries from the big win.
Tagger Rob Shirley is in doubt with a minor hamstring strain, while Scott Thompson finished the game icing his hip, but is expected to play against Carlton.
Shirley has had the better of Blues’ skipper Chris Judd in recent games, and Craig said he was hopeful the 150-game veteran would be available next week.
“Until Robert finished at half time I thought his performance on Matt Priddis was exceptional, absolutely exceptional. We keep our fingers crossed that it’s not going to be a long-term injury.”
