Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse believes enigmatic forward Paul Medhurst is one of the team's unsung heroes.

Medhurst only managed one goal in Collingwood's 31-point victory over Adelaide, but Malthouse knows just how important the former Docker is.

"Paul is our leading goal kicker and he's probably kicked two goals in the last five weeks, maybe six weeks," he said.

"But what he's done is turned his game around to the point of being another caring person - he now knows it's not a matter of how many goals you kick it's how the young players around him set up."

"It's his ability to bring other people into the play. In the last quarter Ryan Cook should've kicked that goal, he (Medhurst) found him right in front."

"He found Chris Dawes and this is the way he plays, he now plays the percentages which is very handy for us."

Malthouse was ecstatic with his side's performance and likened beating Adelaide to overcoming a calculated and dour soccer side.

The Magpies leader said it was important his team, which trailed by four goals during the second quarter, took a lead after the break rather than come-from-behind against a disciplined and defensive Crows line-up.

"They remind me of the German soccer side, once they get in front they are happy with a 1-0 lead and defend it and win the game," Malthouse said.

"They'll close the game up on you."

"We were able to rebound in that third quarter which was terrific, then the pressure went back on the other side to score. So much for a 0-0 draw!"

"Once we got our nose in front it was a matter of seeing how they reacted to get back in front. So if we could hold that out I thought we had a fair chance of winning."

Malthouse said at times both teams scored relatively easily because the defensive units were under great pressure.

"Both backlines, particular ours, was loose and paid a pretty heavy price. But we will be better for it next time, we've got a lot of young players back there and they'll benefit from that game," he said.

Collingwood clawed their way back into the clash when Dane Swan kicked two late goals in the first half. The majors came against the play and saw the visitors get to within 12-points at the long break.

The visitors then got on top with John Anthony and Chris Dawes reaping the rewards of their team-mates efforts in the midfield. The duo kicked three goals each.

Meanwhile, Malthouse said the team needed to reset their goals and look to their Semi-Final on Saturday night at the MCG.

"They (the players) are going to get a lot of slaps on the back and that's so important that we refocus," he said.

"We can't be satisfied; it was a great result but we can't just sit back and be satisfied that we've won our first final."