ADELAIDE midfielder Curtly Hampton credits coach Don Pyke for being patient and allowing him to readjust to the AFL.

Hampton's pace and outside run has been a handy addition for the Crows as they chase a fourth straight win to start the season against Essendon at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

Hampton had a quiet first two games of the season before getting back to some of his best form in the Crows' 17-point win against Port Adelaide in last weekend's Showdown at Adelaide Oval.

The 24-year-old played 51 games in four seasons with Greater Western Sydney as a rebounding defender before joining the Crows at the end of 2015.

He was sidelined with injury for the first half of last year and played the rest of the season in the SANFL.

"The first couple rounds I didn't really want to think about it too much, but I definitely didn't play the kind of footy that I wanted to," Hampton told AFL.com.au.

"Pykey just told me to stay calm, keep working hard at training and it would eventually start to turn.

"I haven't played at AFL level for over a year, which he kept saying to me … don't be so hard on yourself, it's been a while.

"I'm going to work with you to make sure you play the footy that you want."

Hampton had 18 disposals, including eight contested possessions, and laid nine tackles against the Power.

He made the transition to the midfield during the season and earnt his stripes during the JLT Community Series.

"I'm just trying to play my role for the team," Hampton said.

"Our leaders have been very good so far – Eddie Betts, Taylor Walker, Rory Sloane, Daniel Talia – have been great.

"Everyone is just enjoying their footy.

"The group is really close and it's a team-first attitude."

Pyke has won 20 of his 27 games as the senior coach of the Crows since taking charge at the start of last season.

"He's a really kind person, he's got really good relationships with the players and the way he approaches football is really simple," Hampton said.

"He lets you go out and play your game, whether it's Tex (captain Taylor Walker), what he does, get marks outside 50 and kick goals like that, Charlie (Cameron) taking the game on, he doesn't want to take away your strength.

"He loves players bringing their strengths to the game and team-first is what we preach."