IT'S THE buy-in from Adelaide's players that gives coach Scott Camporeale confidence in his own ability, not a glowing report from CEO Andrew Fagan.

Fagan spoke on ABC radio in Adelaide on Monday morning and suggested the interim coach was right in contention to land the permanent role.

The Crows have won six of nine games under Camporeale, who is yet to announce whether he will apply for the position.

"He has certainly demonstrated to himself that he is capable and demonstrated to everyone else he is a capable future senior coach, should that be what he wants to do," Fagan said.

As Adelaide prepares for an elimination final against the Western Bulldogs, Camporeale said it was the players' performance that boosted his self-belief.

"What gives a coach confidence is your playing group actually buying into what you're presenting and the game plan that we're doing and getting a response when you need to," he said. 

"That's what gives you confidence, not the public or anyone pumping up your tyres. 

"I'm worried about what the playing group's attitude is and the way they execute what we're asking them to do; they've done everything to the letter so far." 

Star defender Brodie Smith remains on track to face the Dogs, despite being subbed out of last Saturday's loss to Geelong with a sore ankle.

Smith was still hobbling around in a moon boot on Monday, although the boot is simply a precaution with the coach insisting he was under no injury cloud. 

Both Camporeale and skipper Taylor Walker described Saturday's loss as a reminder of what's required to win.

The Crows entered the match on a four-game winning streak but were outclassed by the Cats, who were fired up to send veterans Steve Johnson, James Kelly and Mathew Stokes out on a high.

Despite the loss, Walker said the form and momentum that Adelaide had built in the lead-up to round 23 would carry through to Saturday night's final.

"We probably got a little bit of a learning curve, a bit of a tap on the shoulder on the weekend so you don't flirt with your form but before that we've been playing great footy," Walker said.

"We're really confident going into Saturday night."