Adelaide coach Neil Craig praised the maturity of his squad after the Crows overcame a week of scrutiny to post a scrappy 24-point AFL win over Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

The Crows endured a week of intense scrutiny leading up to the match following the high-profile arrest of All-Australian defender Nathan Bock for an alleged assault.

And it looked as if the off-field distraction had taken its toll when the Dockers surged to a six-point lead early in the final quarter after trailing by as much as 25 points late in the third term.

But the Crows steadied, booting six of the final seven goals of the match to secure the 15.14 (104) to 11.14 (80) win.

"The reason I was confident of our playing group is whilst they showed a degree of empathy for Nathan, they all were also very clear in their view that that behaviour won't be tolerated," Craig said.

"When you have a player group of that clarity about standards, you don't have to worry about players going to Nathan or to each other saying 'a bit tough' or 'it's not fair' or whatever.

"They were really clear about the situation and that's why I had huge confidence it wouldn't be an issue for us."

The Crows take on high-flying Geelong on Saturday night at AAMI Stadium but Craig said the club wouldn't budge in their assessment of Bock, who has been suspended indefinitely.

"We need to hold our line on that one," Craig said.

"It's really important the club has taken the stance it has and now it's up to Nathan Bock to demonstrate clearly that he's in it for the long haul in terms of a change in behaviour."

Craig said swingman Scott Stevens, who was stretchered off the ground shortly before halftime after being knocked unconscious by an errant knee from Luke McPharlin, was a chance to play in Saturday's clash with Geelong.

McPharlin is likely to face scrutiny over the incident, which saw him cannon into Stevens as the Crow was jostling with Antoni Grover in a marking contest.

Nick Gill suffered a hamstring injury late in the match and is in doubt for the clash with Geelong.

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey rued his side's poor skills in a match marred by continual turnovers and poor decision-making.

He also blasted the AFL over their fixturing.

"You don't like to make excuses but it's the third game in a row that we're playing where the opposition has had more of a break than us," Harvey said.

"I'm not making excuses but I think there should be serious consideration with the draw, particularly the two WA sides, as to when we play so early in the season and how many days the opposition get on us knowing that we are the longest travelling team.

"For instance, today Adelaide had two more days break than us and we travel every second week longer than anyone."

Jason Porplyzia finished with four goals for the Crows while 19-year-old midfielder Patrick Dangerfield provided vital run and carry for the visitors.

Matthew Pavlich booted three goals for the Dockers but Fremantle struggled to deal with the Crows' defensive zone in a match that kicked off in 34C heat.

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