ADELAIDE coach Don Pyke wasn't kidding himself following Saturday night win but said his "proud" team could take some confidence from hammering Gold Coast.

The Crows bounced back from a shellacking to Port Adelaide just seven days earlier and kept their spot in the top-eight with a 95-point rout of the Suns.

Pyke described it as a "good, strong, even" team performance that would prepare them well for a huge Friday night showdown with rapidly improving Essendon at Adelaide Oval.

Tyson Stengle and Eddie Betts celebrate a goal. Picture: AFL Photos

"From early on I thought we had control of the game and moved the ball better than we had recently, which was good to see," he said.

"We were really disappointed with last week.

"They're a proud group and they weren't going to sit back and see a repeat of that.

CROWS SCORCH SUNS Full match coverage and stats

"I was happy with how we started the game, set the tone early and were able to play some really strong footy."

After winning all four quarters, Pyke said the intensity and pressure around the contest was a highlight.

He said spending three days on the Gold Coast in preparation for the match had a heap of benefits.

WATCH Don Pyke's full post-match press conference

"It was an opportunity to do something different.

"The season can be long for players.

"It was nice to come up here and get a bit of sun on their backs … and spend time together.

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"They're able to get out, catch up and have a coffee, spend some time at the beach and do other things, which you probably wouldn't be able to do in Adelaide at this time of year.

"That doesn't hurt keeping the group nice and tight and together"

After returning to Adelaide early on Sunday afternoon, the Crows will have just five days to prepare for the Bombers.

"The reality is we need to keep winning," Pyke said.

"We keep winning, we keep our position on the ladder."