After losing Trent Hentschel (fluid in the knee), Nathan Bock (left hamstring), Kurt Tippett (sprained ankle) and Patrick Dangerfield (neck) during the game, Melbourne had the fresher legs and ran out 16-point winners.
Craig said all of his players performed at the level the supporters expected, with the Adelaide coach proud of their efforts considering the injuries they suffered.
“We have had some criticism in the last two weeks - and rightly so,” he said
“But I thought our defensive effort against a very offensive team in Melbourne was absolutely fantastic.”
“I thought it was a great credit for our players to be able to produce that spirit and intensity at the start of the game but more importantly to maintain it when things were totally against them.”
A six-goal-to-one second half condemned the Crows to their third consecutive loss - all against teams that failed to make the finals last year.
The Adelaide coach said finals were still on the radar, but said it was now a matter of focusing on their performance each week.
“We have our backs to the wall,” he said.
“It’s still alive - we’re three games in so we will continue to push on very aggressively.”
Craig believes the squad is slowly turning its form around, and can go into the must-win clash against Carlton next Saturday at AAMI Stadium full of confidence.
“I’m sure the members and supporters who watched that game would say that is the Adelaide Crows we have been waiting for two weeks,” he said.
“We need to continue to be very aggressive in the way we play our football which is what I saw today.”
