On the eve of the season the club promised to embrace and live up to increased expectation after a stunning 2012 campaign saw it reach the preliminary final.
With just two wins from six games though, a top-eight finish now looks a long shot.
But after narrowly losing to a likely top-four finisher in Hawthorn on Saturday, Sanderson said his players wouldn't ever give up on the season.
"We're coming from a long way back, but that's fine – these boys won't be shying away from any future challenges," Sanderson said.
"We certainly won't roll over and die – not this footy club, not these young boys.
"They're full of fight, as coaches we'll keep working hard to make sure we see continual improvement."
Five talking points: Adelaide v Hawthorn
Sanderson said he was proud of the way his team slugged it out against the Hawks.
"The effort's there, the boys crashed and bashed, and there should be some players at our footy club that would be really proud of their performance tonight," he said.
"We gave it everything we had and unfortunately came up short."
Superstar midfielder Patrick Dangerfield disagreed with his coach though, claiming the players were shattered with the loss.
Dangerfield was in brutal form on Saturday night against Hawthorn, racking up 35 disposals including 20 contested, booting two goals and was head and shoulders above any other Crow except for Daniel Talia.
"If you came straight into the club rooms after [the loss] you'd find 22 players that certainly weren't satisfied with the way that we played," Dangerfield said.
"It'll be written that the Crows tried hard but at the end of the day you're judged on wins and losses and, yeah the boys tried hard, but we haven't won the game.
"We're not satisfied with that as players."
The 23-year-old said his side wasn't using the ball well enough, or holding enough tackles.
"At different times we're not using the ball as well as we would have liked," he said.
"If we're able to stick some of those tackles and cause more stoppages, it gives us time to set up and time to use the ball in our forward half.
"That's something we have to rectify and rectify quickly."
While happy to sing Dangerfield's praises after Adelaide's 11-point loss to Hawthorn, Sanderson said he needed more from those around his superstar midfielder.
"47 [Dangerfield's] in the squad would be good but he should be really happy with the way that he played, 'Danger', he's so exciting to watch," Sanderson said.
"I mean 35 touches, nine clearances, two goals – he did it all.
"You'd prefer an even contribution. Daniel Talia, his role tonight was fantastic."
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.
