COACH Neil Craig has described Adelaide's determined win over the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night as "pleasing", but says the club would be naive to think it had turned its season around on the back of one victory.

The Crows narrowly avoided extending their losing streak to a club-record seven games, coming from behind to upset the Swans by seven points in a tight final quarter.

The pressure on Craig and his team had been mounting since Adelaide's last win against Gold Coast in round eight, and reached a climax following the club's lacklustre performance against an undermanned Geelong last weekend.

The Crows' dispirited effort at Skilled Stadium prompted suggestions Craig had 'lost' the players, and that his message was no longer getting through.

After the win over the Swans, Craig maintained he "never doubted" he had the support of the players, but said the result wouldn't answer all the questions that had been asked of the club this season.

"I've never doubted that [my message wasn't getting through]. It's been more a question from outside more than internally," Craig said.

"You think about it as a coach, obviously you ask that question but it hasn't been a doubt of mine.

"One game of football like that is really pleasing for our playing squad, but it doesn't wash away everything that has been done or said.

"Consistency will do that and our actions will do that. Not just a one-off.

"It's what we're capable of. It's the standard our supporters want, but we'd be foolish to think everything is rosy with our season at the moment because it's not … not yet."

The Crows lacked intent against the Cats last weekend, but appeared to rediscover their thirst for the contest against the competitive Swans.

Adelaide responded to being two goals down in the second quarter of the low-scoring contest, and again when the visitors snatched back the lead midway through the final quarter.

Craig singled out utility Jared Petrenko and debutant Daniel Talia for special praise, but said the win had been the result of a more even contribution from his team.

"I'm really pleased for the playing group. They've stuck to their task," he said.

"We've made some significant changes to personnel. We had a weight of numbers tonight in terms of an even contribution rather than sitting here talking about three or four individuals.

"The group has done a lot of work, and the senior leadership group has been fantastic. They've kept buoyant as a group, so hopefully this is just the start for them for the rest of the year."

The win came at a price for Adelaide, with mature-age recruit Ian Callinan's AFL fairytale being put on hold again.

The 28-year-old starred in the first half, gathering 12 disposals and a goal but finished the game with a hamstring complaint.

"It looks like Ian's got a slight hamstring out of the game, so that will put him back for probably three or four weeks," Craig said.

"It's disappointing for Ian … but clearly, he's demonstrated he can play at the level."

Midfielder Richard Douglas also finished the game on the interchange bench with an ankle injury.

The Crows have the bye next weekend.

Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGil