DEFLATED Adelaide players are being challenged to learn some harsh lessons from their humbling loss to Greater Western Sydney.

The Crows were beaten by 59 points at Adelaide Oval on Saturday in a significant backward step after three wins in the previous four games.

Adelaide assistant coach Nathan van Berlo says the players' mindset after entering as favourites will be questioned on review of the loss.

CROWS v GIANTS Full match coverage and stats

"You almost become the hunted sometimes versus the hunter and that sort of mindset (change) can be ever so slight," van Berlo told reporters on Monday.

"To the Giants' credit on the weekend, when their backs were to the wall, they came out and really punched us in the face early in that game and we weren't able to respond until the game was well and truly done.

"We felt we had a good preparation last week and we were well aware of what was coming from the Giants and we didn't execute, so really disappointed with the result."

The Crows scored just one goal in each of the initial three quarters with van Berlo concerned by a lack of intent.

"Our contest in the air and the contest at ground level, the Giants were all over us," he said.

"It shows we needed to be better early and we weren't able to respond until it was too late.

"Really disappointed with that intent, so we have to make sure we prepare mentally, physically, as best we can going into every game.

"And it's a good learning, not that we want to learn every week, but for a young group it's important that we acknowledge that and learn from it."

The 12th-placed Crows, with three wins and four losses, will be forced to make two changes for Sunday's away fixture against Carlton.

Acting captain Brodie Smith and forward Ned McHenry were both concussed against the Giants and will miss the Marvel Stadium clash against the fifth-placed Blues.