ADELAIDE midfielder Scott Thompson has defended coach Neil Craig, saying the players must take "full responsibility" for the club's disappointing performance in the second half of Showdown XXX at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.

The Crows kicked the opening four goals of the game and led by 34 points early in the second quarter.

However, Craig and his assistant coaches were criticised for not having a “plan B" or reacting quickly enough when Port Adelaide gained the momentum midway through the term.

The Power dominated play from the mid-point of the second quarter, piling on 13 of the next 14 goals to stage a dramatic 66-point turnaround.

Thompson said his side's first-quarter performance was an indication the club's game plan worked, and that the players had let the coaches down in the second half.

"Of course people are going to point the finger at the coach … but Neil can only do so much for the group. It falls back to the players in the end," Thompson said on Monday.

"Neil isn't out on the ground. He can't kick goals for us or win the ball for us. When we get our game plan [going], stick to the contested ball for four quarters and move the ball with the patterns we know we can, we'll be a very good side and it'll take a lot of pressure off the coach.

"I don't think you need a plan B if you execute plan A correctly."

The Crows were first to the ball in the first quarter-and-a-half and also worked hard defensively, creating several goals from Port Adelaide's turnovers.

However, their effort to win the ball dropped off steeply late in the second term, and the Power won the all-important contested ball statistic 42-25 after half time.

Thompson conceded the inexperienced nature of the Adelaide team contributed to the inconsistent effort, but said his side's performance early in the game proved it was capable of playing at a high level.

"When our contested ball falls away, if affects a lot of things we try and do," he said.

"The biggest challenge for us now is to get that four-quarter consistency. It's definitely a challenge to have young players come in and win the contested ball straight away … but we showed on Saturday night that no matter who is out on the oval, whether it's a young player or an experienced player … we're capable of producing that at a very high standard.

"When we do get a four-quarter consistent level of footy, we'll be able to challenge any side in the competition."

The injury-hit Crows have used 29 players already this season, equal with Port Adelaide for the most in the competition. The Power climbed to 29 after making five unforced changes last weekend.

Adelaide is hopeful of regaining experienced defenders Michael Doughty (corked hamstring), Scott Stevens (illness) and Richard Tambling (ankle) for the clash with Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, while Luke Thompson is in doubt with a minor ankle injury.

Defender Jared Petrenko has reported soreness in the foot he broke last season and will see a specialist on Tuesday. Former NAB Rising Star nominee Phil Davis is still a week away from returning from a shoulder sprain.

Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill