All of a sudden the thought of facing AFL pacesetters Hawthorn without Brett "Birdman" Burton does not seem quite so worrying for Adelaide.

The high flying and always unpredictable Burton was considered a pivotal loss from the Crows side to play Richmond, but without him they found their range in the second half at the MCG to tally 15 goals in the final two quarters for a convincing final score of 22.14 (146).

Burton's direct replacement Luke Jericho played one of his finest games for the club, assuming the opportunist forward's role with relish to fire through five goals, two of them hoofed off the ground.

The goals were kicked with the confidence-building knowledge that for once, long-time reserve option Jericho will not be the first player dropped this week, given that Burton is suspended for another game.

"I've felt a lot more comfortable at the level this year, a few things went my way, but sometimes you get those days in footy," Jericho, 23, told reporters.

"I feel like I haven't really played a bad AFL game in a couple of years now, and I know I can play at the level.

"Now, it's up to me to be able to keep performing when I've got the opportunity and, hopefully, I'll get a few more opportunities this year."

Undoubtedly talented, Jericho has always faced mixed opinions among Adelaide fans for occasionally lacking the intensity and fierce attack on the ball that has become synonymous with Neil Craig's team.

Jericho admits that Craig is always "at him" to lift his competitiveness, and reckons the desperation wrought by the attitude that 2008 may be his last chance has helped to do just that.

"Every game I've played this year, I've had the approach of it being my last chance," he said.

"I have to keep performing and playing as well as I can, whether it was round two against West Coast or this week, I have to go out there and do my best and, hopefully, that will be good enough.

"It's not such a bad thing.

"You don't get complacent, and I feel like every week I have to prepare to the best of my ability.

"Hopefully, for the rest of the year I can keep playing on the edge and keep performing really well."

If he does not, then a younger option may also need to be considered by Adelaide.

Adelaide's inaugural NSW scholarship player, Broken Hill teenager Taylor Walker, raised more than a few eyebrows by kicking 9.0 for SANFL side Norwood against Woodville West Torrens at the same time the Crows were beating the Tigers.

Though still very much a rough diamond, Walker's strong marking, sweet kicking and innate goal sense make him a player to watch closely.

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