ADELAIDE coach Don Pyke hosed down expectations of the Crows contending for the top four, but acknowledged his team's excellent performance in a 36-point win against Richmond at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Crows led by 52 points before the Tigers had a late surge to make the margin look more flattering.

Adelaide now sits 2-1, with a 10-point loss in round one against North Melbourne followed by a 58-point victory against Port Adelaide.

Five talking points: Richmond v Adelaide

Richmond may not have been playing at its usual home ground (the MCG) but it won 15 matches last season and was just a game and four per cent behind the fourth-placed Sydney Swans.

"We knew we were in for a big challenge today, based on Richmond being a quality team (which was) coming off a loss last week," Pyke said after the game.

"I was really pleased with the way the players committed themselves to the contest.

"I thought after five or six minutes, she was on in there, and our guys were prepared for that.

"It probably took us a little while to settle. After that initial onslaught, we really… got to work."

Despite being the better side for much of the game, Adelaide lost the contested possession count by four.

The Crows' pressure was excellent, and winning forward-50 tackles 16-11 helped generate many of their goals. 

"We've spent a fair bit of time working on how we want to move the ball, and some of that obviously comes off turnovers," Pyke said.

WATCH: Don Pyke's full post-match press conference

"You're always a chance to get a goal out the back, depending on how hard the opposition is pressing up the ground.

"I think we had a few chances today, probably less than last week (against the Power).

"We turned a few over today, but that's going to happen. I was pleased with the fact we kept trying to take those (risky) options."

Coming off two very good performances, many fans will be excited about Adelaide's prospects, but Pyke was keen to shut down any discussion of the Crows' finals hopes.

"It's round three. I think in this industry, you're foolhardy if you look too far forward."

Forward Tom Lynch was a late out, with his partner going into labour. Lynch was on the first flight back to Adelaide for the birth of a baby girl, Tayla.