Adelaide forward Taylor Walker erased doubts with a game-breaking five goals in a 32-point triumph against Gold Coast on Sunday.
But his coach Brenton Sanderson says Walker is far from his peak despite his starring role as Adelaide steadied their AFL season.
Walker's haul was the game-breaker as the Crows eclipsed the Suns, winning 16.13 (109) to 11.11 (77) at Adelaide Oval.
The Crows, now with a five-five win-loss record, relied heavily on Walker in his third game back since a year's absence following a knee reconstruction.
Walker's initial two games were goal-less, prompting whispers the key forward may not return to his pre-injury powers.
"It took him a couple of weeks to get back to AFL speed," Sanderson said.
"To hit the scoreboard was good for his confidence.
"He was really nervous before the game. He puts a lot of pressure on himself, without even the external pressure."
Walker gathered 22 disposals and 10 marks in a fixture which followed an identical theme for the initial three quarters - the Crows skipped clear early in the terms, only for the Suns to reel them in.
In a tight affair, the Crows were never headed yet held just a nine-point buffer at three quarter-time.
Adelaide sealed victory with four goals to none in the last quarter before a 49,069-strong home crowd.
Defenders Brodie Smith (30 disposals) and Matthew Jaensch (29 possessions) were outstanding while midfielder Rory Sloane relished the heavy track, gathering 29 touches, including 21 contested possessions.
Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna was bewildered at the length of the grass on a slippery surface, describing it as the "hairiest ground" he had seen.
"They need to switch the blades down a few notches, I would have thought," he said.
McKenna said his players would benefit from the experience of playing before a near-capacity crowd, but lamented costly skill lapses.
"We probably just coughed up some crucial ball at the wrong time which allowed the Crows to get on top," he said.
The Suns lost Trent McKenzie and Danny Stanley to shoulder injuries - the extent of their ailments not immediately known.
But David Swallow, who collected a game-high 37 disposals, was superb, as was Dion Prestia (29 possessions).
Dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett notched 25 disposals and two goals despite a hard tag from Adelaide's Sam Kerridge.
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