Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson has praised his team's ability to overcome adversity and post a hard-fought win over Greater Western Sydney in the trial game at Blacktown on Friday.

After a sluggish start, the Crows found themselves three goals down against the spirited Giants.

Adelaide's assignment was made more difficult when Sam Shaw (hamstring tightness), Tom Lynch (shoulder), Richard Douglas (heavy knock) and Andy Otten (jarred knee) were all forced from the ground before half time. This followed the late withdrawal of draftee Matt Crouch, who was struck down by illness overnight.

Despite being reduced to one fit player on the interchange bench, the Crows rallied.

Scott Thompson led the way in the midfield, collecting 25 possessions and eight clearances, while Brodie Martin (three goals), Patrick Dangerfield and James Podsiadly (two goals each) and Shaun McKernan (one goal) provided sparks in attack.

The visitors grabbed the lead in the second term and overcame the hot and humid conditions to hold on for a gutsy eight-point win – their third from three starts in 2014.

“I'm really proud of our efforts to only play with one on the bench for a lot of the game. It was stinking hot and really humid, but the boys were able to knuckle down and really run the game out,” Sanderson said.

“We actually got to the game really late today too. There was an accident on the freeway and what would normally be a 15-minute bus trip took almost an hour. We only had a short time to get ready for the match. It was almost one of those days where it felt like right from the bus being late, things weren't going to go our way. To the players' credit, they were outstanding. Their professionalism and leadership was great.

“This game is fantastic preparation for Round One for us where you only have one rotation and have to keep gutsing it out. We saw a lot of guys in great form … to win our first three games of the pre-season – winning form is good form.”

Lynch, who was playing his first game of the year following foot surgery, dislocated shoulder after a collision on the wing in the second quarter. Adelaide's 2013 leading goalkicker, Lynch will have scans to determine the severity of the injury.

Douglas was taken to hospital as a precaution after copping a heavy knock to his groin. Otten appears to have avoided serious damage to his knee, which he jarred in a marking contest. Shaw experienced hamstring/glute tightness early in the match and wasn't risked.

“Lynch looks like he'll definitely be out for awhile. A dislocated shoulder, you don't recover quickly from them, unfortunately,” Sanderson said.

“The rest we'll have to wait and see. Matt Crouch was out through illness. Douglas took a nasty hit to the groin and we didn't put him back on the ground. Andy Otten tweaked something in his knee, but we don't think that's serious. With 13 days until Round One (he might be okay). Sam Shaw had a bit of tightness through his glute and hamstring. In a practice match, there was no point in risking him.

“We've got 13 days until Round One, so there's plenty of time for guys to recover and get ready for the Cats.”