ADELAIDE has declared All Australian defender Brodie Smith a certain starter for next week's elimination final against the Western Bulldogs.

Smith was substituted out of Saturday's 39-point loss to Geelong in the second quarter after he rolled his left ankle in a marking contest in the first term, creating some nervy moments in the Crows' coaching box.

But caretaker coach Scott Camporeale confirmed after the game that Smith, who immediately had an ice pack applied to his ankle to reduce the swelling, was pulled from the game as a precaution.

"We had the luxury that we could take him off, so he'll be fine," Camporeale said after the game.

Click here for Scott Camporeale's full media conference

In contrast to fellow finals-bound clubs North Melbourne and Fremantle, Adelaide decided against resting key players for its trip to the Cattery.

"We were really conscious about keeping the momentum going forward, and where our list is at we made the decision to keep them playing," Camporeale said.

"They got another taste, even in a minor-round game, of what a finals-like game will be like next week."

The Crows conceded five goals to one in the first term as Geelong led by 27 points at the first change.

It came a week after Adelaide booted eight goals to nil to set up a 57-point win over top-two side West Coast at Adelaide Oval.

Camporeale said his team could learn key lessons from the game against the Cats, particularly around bringing the right intensity from the outset.

The Crows were smashed in centre clearances (4-15), contested possessions (31-39) and tackles (13-27) in the opening term.

"It's a great lesson for our group in terms of what we want to try to achieve and what those indicators are, and if they're not at the level, against any team in the competition, you're not going to be within striking distance," Camporeale said.

"Our form over the last four weeks has been really positive, but I think you learn more out of your losses."

The Crows closed the gap to just one point after booting the first five goals of the third term, but that was as close as the Crows came.

Geelong put the foot down in the latter stages of the game as they celebrated the careers of departing trio Steve Johnson, James Kelly and Mathew Stokes in style.

As Camporeale put it, the Crows played "20 minutes of footy".

Despite rejecting the notion that his players went into self-preservation mode late in the game, Camporeale said his group knew what awaited them next week.

"The last month of footy's been positive. The group's been training well, they're in a good headspace," Camporeale said.

"They know what's about to happen and we want them to enjoy the week coming up."

The Crows are unlikely to make any changes to the team for next week's finals showdown against the Bulldogs.

"Barring something happening during the week, I think we're pretty settled," Camporeale said.

"That's one of my philosophies, particularly going into finals, is if you can keep a settled group that's played good footy together then there's a nice synergy going through there."

Camporeale said he was proud of his group for returning to the finals for the first time since 2012, especially considering the circumstances surrounding the devastating loss of coach Phil Walsh earlier in the season.

"These guys have got a great opportunity to win a final that they haven't done for a couple of years.

"They've worked bloody hard and I'm really proud of the group to get to where they've got to.

"Next week is a new season. It starts 0-0 and that's the opportunity that we've got ahead."