Although unhappy with his team’s overall performance, coach Phil Walsh was pleased Adelaide “found a way to win” against Carlton at the MCG on Saturday.

The Crows, who conceded the first three goals of the match, overcame a slow start to lead by 19 points at the main break, but were challenged by the desperate Blues in the second half.

The difference was only four points at three-quarter time and Levi Casboult’s third goal put Carlton ahead early in the final quarter. Adelaide regained the lead with consecutive goals to Tom Lynch and Eddie Betts before Dennis Armfield kicked his second to bring the margin back to two points.

It wasn’t until match winner Josh Jenkins slotted his fifth with two-and-a-half minutes left on the clock that the visitors secured a hard-earned, but important victory.

Walsh, who praised Carlton’s pressure and intensity, was relieved to get away with the four points.

“When I watched Fremantle (lose to Richmond) last night, I was really worried about how much that game took out of us last week. We really struggled today,” Walsh said after the game.

“Our skills were embarrassing at times, which is a bit of a sign of tiredness but I was still happy we found a way to win.

“We could’ve said, ‘This is a bit too hard’ when Carlton had great momentum in the last quarter.”

Walsh, who has already imposed one early-morning beach session on the players, said his team had avoided a tough few days on the track before the start of their mid-season break on Wednesday.

“At three-quarter time, I told them, ‘If we don’t get the job done, it might not be the greatest week off you guys have ever had’,” he said.

“Even though, the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement says) we have to send them away for four days, they would’ve got sent away with, maybe, a couple of early swims.”

Walsh praised his backline, which was stretched by Carlton talls Casboult, Matthew Kreuzer, Lachie Henderson and also Andrejs Everitt. Kyle Hartigan effected several crucial spoils and smothers, while Luke Brown held the dangerous Troy Menzel to one goal.

Utility Rory Laird continued his excellent season, collecting 26 touches, seven marks and five tackles. He won 11 intercept possessions – more than any Crow in a single game this year.

“His (Laird’s) form this year has been outstanding. It’s real credit to him,” Walsh said.

“He’s had votes in, I think, three games from the coaches this season. He’s probably a guy in the footy world whose name isn’t up there in lights, but his performances this year have been really strong as have our back seven.

“I thought Kyle Hartigan coming back into the team this week stood up. Even though Kyle Cheney was giving away a lot of height, I thought his efforts were good.”

Walsh also credited Nathan van Berlo for thwarting the influence of Blues veteran Kade Simpson, who racked up 10 disposals across half-back in the first quarter.

The Crows reported no new injuries in the match.