In 2005 and 2006 Adelaide habitually blew opponents away inside the opening quarter.

They were an impressive unit, much too good for Sydney, but one that ultimately finished those seasons empty-handed because they were unable to counter the more freewheeling talent of West Coast.

Crows players, officials and supporters have been known to remark that in those years Adelaide were a side where if things did not start well, then it was very difficult to rectify the problems on matchday.

Now, as he seeks to develop a new core for his team, Crows coach Neil Craig has explained why he is not so bothered by the fact his side has won only three of 11 first quarters this year.

Rather than a steamrolling machine that can be short circuited by a smart opponent, Craig wants his 2008 group to be equipped to deal with all eventualities, winning from behind if that's what it takes.

"We don't want to a club where unless we start well we can't win," Craig said.

"We just take the experience as it comes. We try to give our absolute best at the start, and we want to be in front at quarter-time.

"But there's going to be a lot of different situations where that's not going to happen, and we need to make sure that we use all of those to say let's just keep going."

So far this year the Crows have come from behind to run down the likes of Carlton, Essendon and Richmond - hardly top-echelon opponents.

But a strong display against Hawthorn at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night will go a long way towards assuaging the doubts rightly held by many independent observers.

Similarly, Craig said Scott Thompson had an opportunity to lift his standing as one of the game's very best midfielders if he performed with honours against the Hawks.

"He could've been accused of being undisciplined, giving away a 50m penalty when the game's tight, when the heat's on, crucial times," Craig said.

"So he's been through all that, not in denial about that, but to his credit so far this year I've seen some significant changes.

"With Scott this year the thing that stands out to me is just an increase in his maturity and the way he thinks about the game, the way he thinks about his teammates."

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