ADELAIDE midfielder Rory Sloane has attributed the club's dramatic upturn in form under caretaker coach Mark Bickley to the playing group becoming more accountable for their performances.

The Crows' 11-point loss to Geelong on Sunday was Bickley's first defeat since replacing Neil Craig in round 19, but the competitive effort wouldn't have done the two-time premiership skipper's chances of securing the permanent coaching position - if he wants it - any harm.

Sloane reaffirmed Bickley had made a few subtle changes, including encouraging the players to be more attacking, but said it was frustrating the 14th-placed Crows hadn't been able to produce performances like the one against the Cats when they were still in finals contention.

"A lot of us probably weren't accountable for our own performances [earlier in the season], but we're starting to see a lot more weight of numbers and blokes being more accountable for their performances," Sloane said on Monday.

"A lot of young blokes are stepping up now, which really takes the pressure off a lot of the senior blokes now and makes it easier for the team to perform."

"All the pressure was put on us through the media and the pressure was put on 'Craigy'.

"As Craigy said at the time, it was probably too much for the players.

"It's been a little easier now that everyone has been off our backs a bit, and 'Bicks' has also added some new ideas."

Adelaide's performance against Geelong was its most impressive at AAMI Stadium since the round one win against Hawthorn.

The Crows started strongly in the see-sawing match, leading by 14 points early in the second term before the visitors took control and piled on five unanswered goals prior to half-time.

The Cats fought off a spirited comeback from Adelaide in the third quarter to streak to a 24-point lead early in the final term, but the home team responded again closing to within six points at the 25-minute-mark of the fourth quarter.

Ultimately, a late goal to substitute Shannon Byrnes snuffed out any hope of an upset.

The club has vowed not to be satisfied with the respectable loss, but Sloane said the players would take confidence out of the game.

"There were a lot of good signs in our performance last night," he said.

"A lot of young blokes really stepped up … and although Geelong kicked five [unanswered] goals in the second quarter, our ability to keep attacking, to still come back and take the game on was good.

"We've played footy like that in patches throughout the year but … [on Sunday] we stayed in the game and if we can fine tune those skills and finish off our play it might've been a different score line."

Sloane starred against Geelong, overcoming an accidental knee to the face in the first quarter to amass 36 possessions and eight clearances in his best game for the club.

The gutsy onballer has been criticised for tapering off in matches in his short 30-game career, but said he was starting to find consistency in his game.

"Bicks really set me the task to perform and really match it with the best because [the] Geelong [midfielders] are the best and that's where I want to get to in a few years time," he said.

"I've been doing a little bit of work with Charlie Walsh on the bike as well, which gives me the confidence that I'm doing a bit extra and have that bit extra fitness."

Adelaide should be bolstered by the returns of stars Kurt Tippett (hamstring) and Ben Rutten (flu) for the club's next game against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

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