Emerging midfielder Patrick Dangerfield says next week’s NAB Cup Grand Final will be perfect preparation for his team leading into the start of the season proper.

Unbeaten in the opening three rounds of the NAB Cup, the Crows secured a spot in the pre-season decider after accounting for an under-strength Collingwood by 77 points at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

The Crows must now wait to learn who their opponent will be and where the game, which has been slated for next Saturday night, will be played.

West Coast - the only other team yet to taste defeat in 2012 - remain in the box seat, but must overcome St Kilda at Patersons Stadium on Saturday evening to put their place in the Grand Final beyond doubt.

Going into the NAB Cup, coach Brenton Sanderson’s aim was to prepare Adelaide for the regular season rather than to win the competition, but now that a second pre-season flag is in sight Dangerfield said the team was keen to win it.

“To be through to a grand final is thrilling and it’s really good preparation for us for round one of the premiership season because the heat is going to be on next week,” Dangerfield said after the game.

“We played some good football tonight, but we’re under no illusions as to where we sit in the context of this game and our preparations for the upcoming season.

“In saying that, it would be pretty special to win it [the NAB Cup].

“I’ve never, ever played in a grand final in football.

“The closest I got was a semi-final against Torquay in Under-14s, so to get in any grand final is pleasing and, hopefully, we can give it a shake next week.”

Following on from a standout performance in his first game as acting-captain against the Brisbane Lions last weekend, Dangerfield collected 23 disposals and laid an equal-team high six tackles in Adelaide’s win over the Magpies.

The dynamic 21-year-old, who has made the transition from pinch-hitting onballer to permanent midfielder over the pre-season, created several scoring opportunities with his breakneck speed and penetrating run and carry, being credited with three goal assists and kicking one of his own.

He said he’d worked hard on several areas of his game over the summer to allow him to spend more time in the Crows engine room.

“I’m fitter than I was last year … that’s not to say I wasn’t fit last year, but I’m smarter with the way that I’m running during games,” Dangerfield said.

“I’m not wasting energy following contests.

“I’m more anticipating where the next contest is and running to that rather than wasting energy doing circle work, basically.

“(Assistant coach) Scott Camporeale has been really good for me in that area.

“He’s helped me improve and learn the game from that respect, and that’s probably been the biggest thing I’ve worked on and improved over the pre-season.”

Dangerfield was one of 13 Crows goalkickers at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

Comeback forward Jason Porplyzia kicked four from 13 possessions and six marks in another encouraging display, while tall options Tom Lynch and Shaun McKernan each slotted three.

Key targets Kurt Tippett and Taylor Walker combined for three goals.

“One of the best things to come out of the game is that we’re looking so dangerous with different avenues to goal,” Dangerfield said.

“Last year, we were very predictable and had two forward options in Kurt and Taylor and not a lot else.

“Now, we’ve got Shaun McKernan and Tommy Lynch, who was phenomenal in that second half, and obviously ‘Porps’, who is in really good form after being out for 12 months.

“The avenues we’ve got to goal now are what’s going to take us forward and make us a better side.”