AFL leaders Adelaide have learnt some harsh lessons from consecutive failed finals campaigns, forward Tom Lynch says.
Lynch says a more mature and worldly-wise Crows will enter this year's play-offs compared with the beaten semi-finalist versions of the past two years.
"We are better placed this time because we have evolved as a team," Lynch told reporters on Tuesday ahead of next week's first qualifying final against Greater Western Sydney.
"We have had continuity with our football, we have played together and got to understand the way (coach) Don (Pyke) wants us to play.
"And I think we're more mature and experienced.
"So all that together, as a number of teams that are in that same space, we have put ourselves up for a good shot."
Lynch said the Crows had taken a key learning from their past two finals series.
"Just to stay in the moment," Lynch said.
"Things are not always going to go your way, you have to be in an arm wrestle at times.
"But when your momentum comes, you have got to ride the wave.
"We are going to draw on times where we haven't been great positions and have come out on top.
"But we have have got a great confidence in this group and a great belief that, at our best, we can mix it with anyone."
The Crows, who topped the AFL ladder by percentage from Geelong, host GWS at Adelaide Oval on Thursday week.
But Lynch dismissed any relevance from their most recent clash against the Giants, when Adelaide won by 56 points in this year's opening round.
"It was a long time ago and we're both completely different sides," Lynch said.
"Obviously we played well that night but, if we were in their position, we wouldn't be thinking about a loss or round one."
