Crows' AFL season teetering on the brink

Coach Don Pyke has urged Adelaide to keep the faith as their AFL season teeters on the brink.

Friday night's loss to Richmond leaves the Crows with a 7-8 record, at least a game plus percentage outside the top eight.

Last year's grand-finalists now face a massive Thursday night clash at home against resurgent Geelong

The Cats' big win over Sydney on Thursday night has put them two games ahead of the Crows.

Adelaide started well against Richmond, but could not maintain the momentum they gained with last week's win over West Coast.

"We always knew, coming out of the bye in the position we were in, we had to play some really strong footy against good opponents," Pyke said.

"We have to stay positive, we have to keep the faith in terms of what we're doing.

"We know we're on the right path ... it turned for us last week, this week not so much."

Captain Taylor Walker lifted his team against West Coast and he tried to do it again by kicking a booming goal from inside the centre square.

But otherwise he had a dirty night, summed up by an incident in the last quarter where he collided with teammate Myles Poholke and they fluffed a certain goal.

Pyke defended Walker, saying too many Crows players had their colours lowered against Richmond.

"All of their guys (Richmond) would have had their hands up, saying they played a really solid game," Pyke said.

"Unfortunately we can't say that about ourselves tonight."

Adelaide's shocking run of injuries continued, with Daniel Talia playing out the game after hurting a foot in the first quarter.

"No doubt it was affecting him, but from a medical viewpoint he was cleared to play on," Pyke said of Talia.

Richard Douglas also left the field in the last term because of an ankle injury and it is unclear whether the two players will be available for the Cats game.

The Crows are starting to regain players from injury, but they will need time to regain form.

"We've always been aware, bringing guys back in, that the (player) magnets look good," Pyke said.

"But they have to be in a spot where they're ready to play their role and perform really well - that will evolve as they get more games under their belts."

Adelaide struggled in attack and their score of 8.8 was a record low against Richmond.

But Pyke said they showed fight until Richmond blitzed them in the final quarter.

"Credit to the players - we were 16 points down at three quarter time in a game where we'd defended pretty stoutly against a wave of inside 50s," he said.

"We gave ourselves an opportunity.

"We were still overrun in the last quarter by a very good footy team, but there are signs ... there's enough there to work on."