Sanderson was thrilled with last Thursday's win over the Magpies, declaring it the best defensive performance since he was appointed coach ahead of the 2012 season.

 

The win was an impressive reply to the side's embarrassing home loss to Melbourne before its bye and by squaring their season at 4-4 it gave the Crows hope of pushing up into the top eight.

 

But Sanderson said that should his players stumble against the Blues, anything they had achieved last week would be undone.

 

"To see the response we got from the playing group [last week] was really impressive but it means nothing if we don't back it up," Sanderson said.

 

"We have to turn up with the same determination and enthusiasm that 'we're not going to lose this game of footy'.

 

"Carlton have won three of their last four, they're full of talent, they're really well coached – this is going to be a really tough game for us.

 

"Training's looked pretty sharp probably the last six weeks – I know we had that bad loss against Melbourne … our intensity around the training track, in the weights room, with the way we're preparing has been really impressive."

 

Sunday's game will mark Taylor Walker's return to the MCG, the ground he injured his knee at in round five last season when the side coincidentally also faced the Blues.

 

Had it not been for inaccuracy in front of goal the 24-year-old would have greatly exceeded expectations in his first game back at AFL level last week, collecting 17 disposals, taking seven marks and kicking 0.4.

 

Sanderson said he hadn't even thought about Walker's return to the scene of his horrific injury and he doubted it'd be of any concern to Walker himself.

 

"It's not an issue for us, Tex is back bigger and stronger than even before the injury last year," he said.

 

"He seems fitter, lighter, I don't think it'll be an issue at all for Tex.

 

"He's flying, he's looking really sharp, unfortunately with all the training that you do and even playing at state league, nothing can replicate AFL speed.

 

"Those four quarters last week, adjusting back to AFL tempo I think we'll see a much improved Tex again this week."

 

Sanderson also hosed down speculation that budding midfield star Brad Crouch could require a second bout of surgery on his slowly healing broken leg.

 

Crouch was supposed to miss six weeks with the break sustained against Port Adelaide in round two, but hasn't been sighted since.

 

Sanderson though dismissed claims the 20-year-old would undergo more surgery, claiming he'd likely return to the SANFL within two weeks.

 

"It's been eight weeks now but he's probably still a couple of weeks away from resuming," he said.

 

"It's hard with breaks, they heal slower or faster, there are no two that are the same.

 

"Because he missed a fair bit of the pre-season with an Achilles injury he just needs to get some match fitness so expect him to play a couple of weeks probably in the state league before we see him again at AFL [level].”