CULT hero Jason Porplyzia has returned from injury in emphatic fashion, lighting up Alice Springs' Traeger Park with 16 disposals and four marks in the second half against the Brisbane Lions.

Porplyzia basically missed the entirety of last season after dislocating his shoulder in the opening term against Hawthorn in round one, and tested it with his opening touch on Saturday night; marking strongly overhead.

"He hasn't played footy for a year and his second half was just brilliant," coach Brenton Sanderson said after his side's 51-point win.

Porplyzia was subbed into the game at halftime, swapping with Chris Knights who also made a successful return from injury.

"Fingers crossed we can keep him injury-free and get a big season from him," Sanderson said.

There were few, if any, negatives for the Crows in what was a truly polished performance and Sanderson was keen to heap praise on his young group.
 
"Dangerfield was just brilliant," he said of the stand-in skipper's 33-possesion game.

"We put it on him during the week to have a good game and lead by example and he certainly did.

"Rory Sloane was great, another midfielder who stood up.

"Down back, (Graham) Johncock, (Ricky) Henderson, (Daniel) Talia in the first half, (Matthew) Jaensch were all fantastic and of course our forwards worked pretty well as well.

"Some of those young kids tonight, they really were fantastic."

The coach also singled out recruit Josh Jenkins, who combined with Shaun McKernan to give Adelaide first use of the ball in the ruck while the pair also drifted forward to boot two goals apiece.

While the Crows' forward line functioned efficiently with both Jenkins and McKernan working with Taylor Walker and Tom Lynch (two goals), Sanderson didn't hesitate to mention another big man who was resting back home.

"Lynch is another one that gives us that different look in our forward line - we'll certainly play (Kurt) Tippett next week though.

"He'll add another dimension to it."

The club's third win from as many NAB Cup games ensures they enter next Friday night's battle with Collingwood as the form team of the competition.

"We've had three games for three wins, so that builds confidence within the group," Sanderson said.

"We play Collingwood next week which is a big build-up for us. Playing Collingwood at any time is a big game, but it'll be great to play the arch-enemy in front of our home fans next Friday night."

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