Adelaide defender Nick Murray says a ruthless mindset is driving the Crows’ backline as they continue to improve and build consistency.

The Crows defensive unit has been built off hard work and a willingness to sacrifice for each other and for the team - characteristics that are holding it in good stead again this year.

After Round Three, Adelaide is ranked second in the competition for pressure acts and first for defensive pressure acts.

Speaking to AFC Media, Murray said the backline’s shared competitiveness and lessons from past challenges are helping take their games to another level.

“We’ve all played a decent amount of footy together, we are all pretty ruthless competitors, we hate losing,” Murray said.

“We went through some tough times early on and a lot of us were getting smacked around, and as much as it sucked at the time, we learnt a lot from that.

“I think the backline has held up reasonably well considering the inside-50s and I think that’s probably a follow on from last year.

“I think contest is the big one, a lot of those things flow on off contest, so if we don't have that right from the start, we can’t have Josh Worrell coming across to take intercept marks, or Wayne Milera’s piercinging kicks through the middle because we weren’t able to gather the ball back.”

Murray, meanwhile, has enjoyed a solid start to the season, recording a total of 23 pressure acts, 22 spoils, and 20 defensive pressure acts across three games.

Against Geelong last Thursday night, the 25-year-old finished with seven spoils, 10 pressure acts and eight defensive pressure acts, nine rebounds inside defensive 50 and 12 disposals.

He also booted his second career goal with 77 seconds left in the final quarter to give the Crows a slither of hope, before the final siren won out in the end.

“It was nice to kick the second because I think I am about 2.10 at the moment, so I am hoping to get that average back up,” Murray said.

“I’d like to get up there a bit more, I’m probably backing myself from 50-odd out rather than being right in front, so hopefully I get a few more opportunities this season and I’m able to put it through the big ones.”

This season has been extra special for Murray, who shared the field with his younger brother and fellow teammate Toby in Round One against Collingwood.

Toby and Nick were the third set of brothers to play together in Adelaide's AFL side after the younger Murray made his AFL debut against the Magpies.

“It was very special for Ibis (Toby) and the family,” Murray said.

“That was like a home game for my family, four hours from Melbourne, so all the family was there, which was amazing.

“It’s something that you dream about as a young kid to play alongside your brother and to do it in front of 60,000 at the MCG was pretty special and to get the win.”

The Crows will now look to return to the winners’ list when they face Fremantle at Adelaide Oval in a Good Friday clash.

Murray is confident Adelaide could turn its fortunes around and was hoping to see a packed out Adelaide Oval.

“We haven’t got the results we’ve been after the past two games, but we only lost by five-six points, so I think it shows that we are going in the right direction,” Murray said.

“They (Fremantle) are a really good side and are in-form, so it’s going to be a good test.

“Adelaide Oval was rocking in that last quarter against the Bulldogs. We have the best fans in the League and the best stadium in the country, I think. Hopefully we can get 50,000 there to cheer us on for a good win.”

Adelaide faces Fremantle at Adelaide Oval this Friday at 6.45pm.

Tickets available here.