Although Adelaide was guaranteed finals footy before Sunday's win over West Coast, interim coach Scott Camporeale said the Crows wanted to earn the right to play in September, not just fall in.
And he said the club's late coach Phil Walsh would have been proud of the perfect execution of his game-plan in the stunning 57-point win over the Eagles.
The Crows kicked eight unanswered goals in a blistering opening term that ultimately set up the game.
"They did it perfectly," Camporeale said.
"They got great reward for the buy-in into the game-plan. I was really proud of them.
"Phil and I have very similar philosophies on the game. I'm sure he'd be proud tonight."
Adelaide turned the tables on its Round 15 encounter with West Coast, the first match following Walsh's tragic passing.
Fast forward seven weeks and the Crows have reached their goal of playing finals footy.
"They've been really resilient," Camporeale said.
"It's been a long haul for everyone at the footy club.
"As a group we wanted to make sure we earned the right, not just fall in.
"Their attitude was first class.
"Going against a top-two side, I would've been staggered if they didn't come to play today."
Five Talking Points: Crows v Eagles
Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Thompson were again brilliant in the midfield.
Daniel Talia held soon-to-be Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy to one goal and Brodie Smith was back to All Australian form.
The forward-line was also firing on all cylinders, with Josh Jenkins booting a career-best six goals, while Walker, Betts, Lynch and Cameron combined for nine goals.
Adelaide seems destined to do damage in September.
"We want to finish as high as we can." Camporeale said.
"Once you get to finals you don't know what's going to happen.
"If they keep bringing that energy and attitude to play we're going to be tough to beat.
"The last five to six weeks we've been able to stabilise the team and not have injuries.
"Obviously a consistency of personnel is a big key going into September."
Camporeale has now won six of his eight games as interim coach and is looming as a frontrunner for the full-time job next season.
The Crows can secure a home final if they beat Geelong at Simonds Stadium next week and North Melbourne defeat Richmond.
