Adelaide faces the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome on Saturday night with the challenge of trying to win four successive games for the first time in nearly two seasons.

The Crows beat Melbourne, Carlton, Richmond and Essendon in rounds 12-15 of the 2003 season, and finished in fifth position - winning 13 off 22 home-and-away games and the second elimination final against West Coast, and losing the second semi-final to the Brisbane Lions.

Crows coach Neil Craig stressed after training on Friday they had not changed their short-term goals.

"No, our goal is still to make the (final) eight," he said. "We've got three (wins). What do you need to make the eight? Twelve? So we're nine more wins away - a fair way away.

"Down the track, if we get more wins and we look like we will make the eight, I'll be happy to say, 'look, I think we're going to make the eight, maybe we can make the (top) four'.

"But let's talk a bit of realism here. We're nine wins away from getting in the finals. I mean, anything can happen."

Asked about the feeling among the players, Craig said: "Excitement's not the word. I think there's just a feeling that some of the things the guys have been doing over summer and the preparation they've put in are bearing some fruit.

"But there's a very clear understanding from our playing group of where we sit. But it's important in this competition to enjoy the wins when they come because they're so difficult to get.

"And I don't mind that. It's important to enjoy the wins when they're there because there'll be some difficult times, as we all know.

"Footy clubs are always good to be around at any time, particularly when you've put some games together. Our challenge now is to continue to play with consistency and to continue to play kids and to try to play good footy away from our home ground here - and when we do get an opportunity here, to give our fans something to feel proud about."

Asked if he took personal pride in the Crows' improved skill level, Craig said: "I don't, these guys probably do. I mean, they're doing it, not me.

"It's still not at the level required yet, but we think we've seen some improvement in that area."