Adelaide turned around a 13-point quarter time deficit to run away from Gold Coast and win by 28 points at Metricon Stadium on Saturday to move them within a game of the top eight.
They did so without running defender Brent Reilly who dislocated his shoulder in the first minute, while substitute Matthew Wright (corked thigh) and Luke Brown (blurred vision) also played under duress.
Sanderson said he was relieved to leave the Gold Coast with four premiership points, but was far from satisfied.
"We're not playing anywhere near what we're capable of," Sanderson said.
"This was a small step today, yes we got the win, a few guys got back into form, but we've still got a long way to go.
"We were very up for this game. It's been a difficult two weeks for our footy club because we've had to cop a fair bit of criticism and the boys have just wanted to get out there and play."
Sanderson said he was impressed with the run from the back half that was often the catalyst for Adelaide's forward thrusts.
He said Ricky Henderson's (25 disposals) move back to cover for the loss of Reilly was significant.
Adelaide scored 7.3 from 10 inside 50s in the second quarter to turn the tide and take a lead they would never relinquish.
Wright started as the sub, but quickly became an important cog, kicking a match-high four goals.
"He could hardly move at half-time and we pretty much just put him in the goal-square and said 'if the ball comes your way, try and grab it'. He was exceptional," Sanderson said.
The coach also reserved special praise for Patrick Dangerfield, who finished with 27 disposals and a fourth-quarter goal after being smashed in a tackle by Sun Steven May.
"He's an incredible player. That hit he got in the third quarter, that was like a car crash.
"He came off, most players wouldn't come back on, I spoke to him on the phone and he could hardly talk, he didn't have any breath in his lungs.
"He came back on, kicked a goal, still tackled, still chased. He's an amazing person and incredible spirit that he gives to our footy team.
"There was lots of efforts like that today, we were the walking wounded."
Michael Whiting covers AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting
