ADELAIDE skipper Nathan van Berlo says it's important the resignation of Neil Craig doesn't "fracture" the club with six weeks of the season remaining.

Craig quit as coach of the Crows on Monday, putting an end to months of speculation over his future.

Despite mounting calls from outside the club for Craig to step aside following the disastrous 103-point loss to St Kilda last Friday night, the players were shocked by his decision to resign.

Forward Kurt Tippett told afc.com.au Craig's announcement had "rocked" the playing group to "its foundation", adding his initial thought had been to try and talk the popular coach out of his decision.

Van Berlo admitted to being "frustrated" by the events of the past few days, but said the players had vowed to stick together and support caretaker coach Mark Bickley.

"I've gone through a lot of emotions this week, but I've got no doubt they'll drive me and the playing group to perform," he said on Thursday.

"As a footy club now, we've just got to make sure it doesn't fracture us as a group.

"We need to make sure we're there for each other and that our performances from here on in for the rest of the season really count.

"It's only going to be ourselves that are going to get us out of this, with the actions we display for the rest of the season, and that's got to start [against Port Adelaide] on Sunday."

Van Berlo, who was the second player drafted after Craig was appointed coach of Adelaide at the end of 2004, said he'd taken his mentor's resignation particularly hard.

"I was very emotional over the weekend," he said.

"Craigy means a great deal to me, having been at the football club since I first arrived. He's been a huge personal influence in my life.

"To see him go through what he's had to go through this year, and the decision that he's made, which he firmly believes is in the best interest of the footy club, it's certainly been a tough couple of days.

"I know if I can get through a week like this in football, and if we can get the club through it with the rest of the playing group we'll certainly be stronger for it."

Van Berlo revealed he'd spoken to Craig since his resignation, saying his former mentor had encouraged the team to have "a red-hot go" in Showdown XXXI at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.

Van Berlo said he expected to see a physical and passionate performance from his team in the twilight clash.

"The reaction, whether we win or lose on Sunday, is not what matters to us as a playing group," he said.

"What matters is what we're about and what we stand for as a footy club. It's about us playing some unconditional and competitive footy."

There has been speculation that some players, such as emerging star Patrick Dangerfield, had aligned themselves with Craig and could walk away from the club now that he's no longer coach.

Dangerfield, who is contracted for next season, dismissed the speculation in a recent interview, but van Berlo said it would be up to the players to convince out-of-contract teammates Bernie Vince, Phil Davis and Taylor Walker to stay with the Crows.

"Whether or not Craigy is here, I think it's the responsibility of the playing group because I think that carries the most weight for guys out of contract, or guys whose careers are up in the air," he said.

"They're all required players for us. I know 'Danger' was very close with Craigy as were a lot of players in the playing group."