ADELAIDE captain Taylor Walker is proud of the Crows' season, but admits they need to improve to stay in the premiership hunt next year.

The Crows returned to Adelaide on Sunday morning licking their wounds after Saturday night's 36-point semi-final loss to the Sydney Swans at the SCG.

Match report: Swans too strong for Crows

"I've got a lot of confidence and belief in the squad that we've got," Walker said.

"(I am) disappointed (and) angry, but the pleasing thing is we've made some big steps throughout the season.

"As a footy club we set some clear goals and focuses going into the finals and we wanted to play in a premiership and we didn't.

"As a captain, I'm very proud of what we achieved, but I'm not happy.

"We're a good footy club, but we want to be a great footy club.

"We've got to get better."

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It was the second straight year the Crows have bowed out in the second week of the finals.

The Swans torched the Crows in the midfield and took advantage of their turnovers coming out of defence.

"We've got some great midfielders, but they had some really great midfielders last night," Walker said.

"It's an area we can consistently get better at.

"You can't finger point the midfield, we need to get better across the board."

Walker said the Crows had improved on last year after finishing this season with a 16-6 win/loss record.

"We've made steps in a lot of areas," he said.

"Our team defence compared to last year is a lot better.

"Our attack has got better and last night our contest wasn't at the standard.

"Our ground ball was minus 30 and contested possessions was about minus 20.

"For us to win consistently in finals, that needs to be at a consistent level and it wasn't."

It could have been the 307th and last AFL game for veteran midfielder Scott Thompson, who is yet to agree to a new deal with the Crows for next year.

"He was great Thommo, he's had a great year and I'm sure his stuff will get sorted in the next few weeks," Walker said.

"I'm sure himself, his management and the club will decide that when it needs to be. "I love playing with Thommo.

"He teaches me a lot as a leader and he's got a lot to give to the footy club."

Key forward Josh Jenkins was limping noticeably after carrying an ankle injury into Saturday night's game, while defender Jake Lever was wearing a moon boot on his right foot.