ADELAIDE coach Brenton Sanderson says he's disappointed he lost his cool and pushed one of his players during an angry spray last weekend.

Sanderson says he went over the top at quarter-time of Sunday's AFL loss to the Western Bulldogs, when he pushed defender Ben Rutten and pointed the finger at several other players.

"I'm a bit disappointed that I let myself get to that level," he told reporters on Wednesday.

"I should be a bit calmer in those situations but sometimes the anger and emotion spill over the edge."

Sanderson said his response to Adelaide's sluggish start against the Dogs, who kicked seven goals in the first quarter, was "as animated I have been with this group."

Sanderson said Adelaide players had no issue with his outburst, but he later sought out Rutten.

"I caught up with Truck (Rutten) who was the main one that got caught on vision," he said.

"But you have got to pick your targets - he's one of our senior players and most experienced player.

"I wouldn't do it to a first gamer or second gamer or one of our younger players because you know you would lose them for the rest of the match - but Truck was one you knew you would get a response from."

Meanwhile, Sanderson admitted it had been tough watching Sydney Swan Kurt Tippett dominate this season.

The former Crow has booted 32 goals in his nine games, including 17 in his last three, since returning from a 16-week suspension.

He's the No.1 player in the competition for goals per game and second for marks inside 50 per game.

Adelaide has struggled in attack this season without Tippett, and with Taylor Walker and Josh Jenkins both succumbing to injury.

"I won't say that I'm happy to see him playing so well, I'd rather he didn't get a kick," Sanderson said.

"He's scoring goals, he'd be really handy for us now, I've said it a few times this year though – that ship's sailed.

"We've got a new-look forward line that's been really tested with depth, no [Taylor] Walker, no [Josh] Jenkins, we've certainly been challenged in that regard."

Not that Tippett's form has surprised his former coach.

"He's a class player, he's got all the talent in the world, he's only going to get better and better," he said.

"We said that last year, he was still quite raw in his development.

"He's played 100 games of AFL footy ... it's a shame he's not playing for us, but he's not."

The Crows blew their last hope of earning a finals berth last weekend against the Bulldogs, and with finals off the agenda, he said the club would begin to seriously consider its list.  

He added several uncontracted players were playing for their futures.

Shaun McKernan, Lewis Johnston, Richard Tambling are several senior-listed players out of contract at season's end, while Sanderson has previously all but guaranteed a spot for Jason Porplyzia. 

He said McKernan remained a valued member of the squad and would again be in the mix this weekend as a second ruckman.

Johnston has appeared a much-improved player at the elite level compared to his solitary game last year and managed four tackles and five marks against the Bulldogs, but couldn't make the most of his opportunities, booting three behinds.

"To be brutally honest, yes [they are playing for a future], it's that time of the season," Sanderson said.

"Across all clubs, if you're playing and you're out of contract you've got to play well, it's as simple as that.

"That's the nature of this industry."