There was the one that rendered the Crows uncompetitive, humiliated and bundled out by Brunswick for an error-riddled 115 in 37 overs with the game on the line chasing 272 for victory.

Then the good side of the Crows, with the pressure valve well and truly released and little but pride to play for, where they came out and entertained like few others with 2-149 off 32 overs in the second innings.

Crows captain Troy Stone is at a loss to explain the peaks and troughs within a single day of cricket that closely resemble the unpredictable Melbourne weather.

"It sums up our year," he told the Weekly.

"Our best is very good but we're not consistent.

"The first 30 overs today were just not good enough.

"We batted well when the pressure was off."

First drop Johnathon Blake played a lone hand at the top of the order for the Crows in the first innings with 44.

Joey Blake, who came in at No.6, was the only other recognised batsman in double figures with 13.

Kane Twentyman (16 not out) and Kapelan Kulendranathan (12) spared the Crows some embarrassment by pushing the score beyond 100.

Wicks speedster David McKay, the brother of Melbourne Stars and Victorian Bushrangers fast bowler Clint McKay, was a constant thorn in the side of the Crows with 6-35.

The optimistic Wicks pressed for an outright victory by enforcing the follow on, but the sunny side of Sunshine came out in the second dig and they avoided a potential innings defeat with some ease.

Again, it was Johnathon Blake who anchored the innings with 58 not out, a breakthrough knock after he had threatened on numerous occasions this summer to turn a start into a big score.

"He hadn't made a big score yet this year so he really needed that," Stone said.

"He was a standout for us."

Romain Grenville continued his hot and cold form with a failure in his first knock followed by a confident 56 not out in the second.

The third-last Crows face one-win Preston in a two-day game at Preston City Oval starting on Saturday.

Firsts: Sunshine 115 (JE Blake 44) and 2-149 (JE Blake 58no Grenville 56no) lt Brunswick 9-271 (Grenville 4-61 Twentyman 2-42).

Seconds: Brunswick 7-272 dec (Korsak 2-57) d Sunshine 100 (Simpson 39 Kandilis 28no) and 42.

Thirds: Sunshine 62 and 68 lt Brunswick 3-141.

Fourths: Brunswick 262 d Sunshine 118 (Serafin 65) and 69.