Fremantle led by 29 points in the second quarter at AAMI Stadium before the Crows turned the game, led by forward Taylor Walker's brilliant third quarter.
Coach Brenton Sanderson said his faith in his players had remained strong despite the stage fright he said they suffered in last week's lacklustre 29-point loss to the Sydney Swans.
The Crows had many players down on form last Saturday, including Jason Porplyzia, Taylor Walker and Graham Johncock, and lost defender Daniel Talia to a broken arm. But Sanderson said the team never contemplated crashing out of the finals in straight sets.
"The belief has always been there. The doubt comes externally," Sanderson said, after Friday night's 10-point win.
"I've got tremendous belief in our playing group and the assistant coaches we've got have been fantastic this week in reminding our players their best is good enough.
"As much as you can, you can't think about losing. It has to enter your mind at times but our focus all this week was what role you could play for the team.
"At no point did I mention or did I even say to any of our coaches, if we lose this week."
Still, Sanderson admitted to experiencing "some anxiety" in the coaches' box during the tight contest, especially in the first half.
The Crows lost another tall back in Sam Shaw to a hamstring in the first quarter, and were forced to reshuffle their line up with Ricky Henderson moving into defence and the substitute in Johncock into attack.
Kurt Tippett was struggling again, although he pleased the coach with his ruck work and ability to move Zac Dawson out of his comfort zone, and Fremantle had piled on three goals - reminiscent of its speedy start against the Cats - before the Crows got their first.
"The heart rate's pumping, there's moves happening everywhere, players injured, some players out of form, a lot of players in form," Sanderson said.
"We certainly threw them around a bit tonight."
The Crows must front up in eight days for the preliminary final again Hawthorn that will be their season's biggest challenge.
"It's important we understand we've just won a semi final and that puts us in a position to play in a prelim," Sanderson said.
"So you enjoy it, we review it and then we get on with our next opponent.
"The season's not over for us. As happy as we feel now and as relieved as we feel … it's important to get back to business now, recover well, review, and we'll get on with the Hawks as soon as we can."
Despite a big shift in form after half-time that saw the Crows move the ball better, hit targets and make Fremantle defend, Sanderson was under no illusions about the potency of a well-rested Hawthorn.
"We'll certainly have to be out at our best next week," he said.
"We'll certainly be the underdogs so it's really important we get over there and hopefully get tonnes of support.
"I know it's going to be crazy here this week with the build-up to a prelim final but we'll certainly go over there really confident after our second half tonight."
Jennifer Witham is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.
