IF ADELAIDE can find a way into the finals, midfielder Brodie Martin believes they are capable of causing some genuine damage in September.

The Crows have already beaten several top-eight sides this year, including Collingwood, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide.

But they still remain a win out of the eight – a situation that could change if they beat the Magpies next weekend.

Victory in the second half of round 18 would see Adelaide replace Collingwood in eighth spot if Gold Coast loses to the Brisbane Lions.

If Essendon lose to the Western Bulldogs, the Crows could enter round 19 as high as seventh.

Martin said the club's July 27 game at the MCG was the start of its finals charge.

"It's a massive game, I guess that's the start of our little campaign to make finals," Martin said.

"We're not in the eight at the moment, it's not out of the question but we can't look towards that just yet, if we start dropping games now then we're no hope.

"[We must] keep winning and give ourselves the best chance because we believe our best footy's good enough to win finals and upset some teams."

Martin has played the last nine games for the Crows, the most he's ever strung together, for a career total of 29 matches.

The 25-year-old is clearly a more accomplished AFL player than he was last year and appears to have won the confidence of coach Brenton Sanderson – but they're not Martin’s words.

"I'm not comfortable, that's for sure, there are plenty of blokes who could come in and play my role…I'm always going to be looking over my shoulder," he said.

"I'd like to be a bit more relaxed and I'm probably getting to that stage now where I'm not actually thinking about next week so much before the game.

"I've played the sub numerous time and I'd be sitting on the bench and all I've been thinking about is getting a game next week."

The key to Martin's consistency at senior level this year has been his ability to forget his fine SANFL form.

He is a prolific SANFL ball-winner, easily capable of collecting 30-plus possessions a game.

"I've simplified what I've been trying to do and that's just do what I can for the Crows," he said.

"Playing at SANFL I can naturally find the footy a bit, so I thought for me to play [senior footy] week in week out, I had to have 30 possessions. Now I've found another way to hold my spot."