For Phil Walsh, coach of early AFL pacesetters Adelaide, it’s all about trust.

Walsh says his unbeaten ladder leaders have banked some credits with consecutive wins.

But equally, he says the Crows can now trust each other.

“I have got great confidence in what I am trying to get the players to deliver,” Walsh told reporters on Thursday.

“It’s more trust though.

“What we have been able to build up is, I have now got trust that the players can do what I’m asking them to do.

“And they have actually got some trust that what I’m doing actually can work.

“We like to think what we’re trying to build will stand up, it will stand up in finals, it will stand up under pressure.”

The Crows expect dual club champion Scott Thompson, unsighted this season because of a hamstring tear, to front against Melbourne on Saturday at Adelaide Oval.

But Walsh doubts All Australian backman Brodie Smith will play after being knocked out in last Saturday’s away win against Collingwood.

The Crows carry warm favouritism against the Demons (one win, one loss) but Walsh is wary of any opposition coached by Paul Roos.

“I don’t take anything for granted in this league,” he said, noting both clubs had won the same amount of quarters – six – this season.

“A Paul Roos team will defend really hard.

“And the thing I have seen from this year, they have actually added a bit of offence to their style as well.

“We’re happy to get in an arm wrestle. A Paul Roos team normally brings an arm wrestle.”