Acting co-captain Patrick Dangerfield says the Crows can’t afford to relax after clawing their way into the top eight for the first time this season.

Adelaide took Collingwood’s place (eighth) on the AFL ladder after defeating the Magpies by 16 points at the MCG on Sunday night.

Dangerfield was rapt his side was able to take the four points in the crunch match, which had been billed as a ‘final’, but said the Club’s next challenge was to hold onto a place in the final eight.

“It (being in the top eight) is irrelevant at the moment. We have to be in the eight at the end of the season, that’s what matters,” Dangerfield said after the game.

“The only way we can do that is by focusing on what we can control and that’s beating our next opponent, West Coast. We’re really happy with the win. It was a super important game for us, but in six days we play the Eagles at Adelaide Oval.

“As much as we’ll enjoy the win, we’ll review it tomorrow and move on very quickly.”

It was Adelaide’s second win over Collingwood in two months after the home side secured victory in the previous meeting between the two teams at Adelaide Oval in Round Nine.

It was the first time the Crows have beaten the Pies in Victoria since Round One, 2009, and first time in eight years Adelaide has claimed two wins over Collingwood in the same season. Adelaide’s Round Nine win broke a six-game losing streak against the Magpies.

“Since the day I got drafted, we’ve barely beaten Collingwood. They’ve really been a bogey side for us over the last six or seven years. To beat them again this season, especially, at the MCG is really important,” Dangerfield said.

“We didn’t play our best footy. We played really well in patches but not the entire game. The important thing was that when the siren went, we were ahead.”

The visitors led by four goals early in the third quarter, but had to fight back after Collingwood hit the front midway through the final term.

The Crows were able to respond, with goals to Taylor Walker and milestone men Richard Douglas (150 games) and James Podsiadly (100 games) helping to seal the much-needed win.

Dangerfield said the team was pleased to celebrate the milestone games with victory.

“Pods is 63-years-old and the oldest person to play sport – ever,” he said with a laugh.

“He took some really good marks for us and played his role as he does every week. Richard Douglas has been a terrific stalwart of the Club for many years. Playing 150 games is a great effort.

“He’s a terrific player and best and fairest winner. He did a really good job for us again tonight, running with Scott Pendlebury.”

The roles of Douglas (20 possessions, eight inside 50ms and two goals), Dangerfield (26 possessions and six clearances), Rory Sloane (19 possessions and four clearances), Brad Crouch (25 possessions, nine tackles and six clearances) and David Mackay (19 possessions and a goal) were important following the late withdrawal of in-form midfielder, Scott Thompson.

Thompson, who was ruled out with a hamstring/back complaint, previously hadn’t missed a game since 2010.

“It was a bit odd not having ‘Thommo’ out there – he’d played 99 straight games,” Dangerfield said.

“They did get on top ‘of us in the midfield at times and that’s certainly something we need to look at. The team we played today is one of the youngest we’ve put on the park, so it was a great win for the boys.”

Not for the first time this season, Dangerfield also found himself in the wars. The damaging onballer sustained a knock to his knee late in the final quarter, but was confident he’d be okay.

“There’s nothing like getting hurt in the last few minutes of a game,” he said.

“It’ll be a bit sore and swollen, but we have fantastic medical staff and I’m sure I’ll be sweet to go next weekend.”