The Crows were forced to cover for two injured players against the Brisbane Lions after midfielders Bernie Vince (knee) and Chris Knights (hamstring) both went down in the first quarter.
But Adelaide still managed to outscore the Lions 13 goals to nine after quarter time, to earn the heartfelt praise of the coach.
“There was huge spirit in the group to be able to do that,” Craig said.
“That is very unusual to win a game of football when you are two down on the interchange early in the game.
“The importance of the game was very high for them and their capacity just to hang in there and keep digging... it was a fantastic effort by our playing group.”
Vince and Knights are both likely to miss the remaining two games of the season.
The Adelaide players were challenged after a first quarter the coach described as "horrendous”.
“We were really poor, we looked like we wanted things to happen for us instead of us just making them happen," Craig said.
“To hang in there and to fight it out, I think we are true to our word at the moment, running to the line, playing the season out with that sort of intent.”
Craig saved special praise for Kurt Tippett (5.4) and Nathan van Berlo (23 disposals), who booted a spectacular goal from the boundary to seal victory late in the final quarter.
Craig may also have found another forward option, after trying Phil Davis at both ends of the ground.
“He has got great feel for teammates around him,” Craig said.
“It was a good experiment for us to have a look and he will learn a lot from it."
Craig said the Crows players now needed to maintain the effort and improve their skill level in their last two games against Collingwood and St Kilda to finish the season on a high.
“We need to be better technically, there is no doubt about that because it is not just a matter of trying hard,” Craig said.
“We have started to do that and we will make a bigger effort over the break.”
