ADELAIDE has made light work of Gold Coast, accounting for the Suns by 48 points at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
But the victory came at a cost, with skipper Taylor Walker becoming the latest victim of the Crows' hamstring crisis.
The Crows (4-2) barely stepped out of first gear after opening up a 45-point lead at half-time, getting home 16.14 (110) to 9.8 (62)in front of a crowd of 44,835.
Walker left the game in the second quarter and didn't return as a precaution with what the club described as "hamstring awareness".
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It's a blow for the 28-year-old after he answered his critics with an outstanding performance in the Crows' gutsy win against Sydney last week.
Walker was hitting his straps after struggling with a plantar fascia injury in the pre-season.
The Crows had six players sidelined with hamstring injuries before this round.
Reigning best and fairest Matt Crouch was one of those, but the ball magnet didn't miss a beat in his first game since the Grand Final rematch with Richmond in round two.
Crouch had 14 of his 30 disposals in the first quarter.
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Wayne Milera was outstanding for Adelaide across halfback, the 20-year-old racking up 33 disposals, easily eclipsing his previous high of 23.
Richard Douglas and Tom Lynch, of the Crows' variety, kicked three goals each, while Rory Laird (34 disposals) and Bryce Gibbs (31) continued their strong starts to the season.
WATCH: Richard Douglas snaps truly
Crows coach Don Pyke was pleased his side backed up after last week's gutsy win over Sydney at the SCG.
"It was important for us after last week, which was a really good and solid win up in Sydney, to come back home and play well," Pyke said.
"We were disappointing the last time we were here (the Crows lost to Collingwood in round four) and our focus was to consistently play some of the footy we stand for."
In their sixth game of a horror 10-game road trip to start the season, the Suns – who have lost all 11 meetings with Adelaide – made some critical errors in defence to allow several simple goals.
David Swallow (31 disposals, 13 tackles and three goals) was a bright spot for the Suns, former Crow Jarryd Lyons (25) and Lachie Weller (24) worked hard and veteran Michael Barlow (23 disposals) was solid in his first game of the season.
In-demand Suns free agent Tom Lynch had a tough night, failing to kick a goal as he dealt with plenty of physical pressure.
A six-goal to one second quarter for the Crows was the difference.
Adelaide smashed Gold Coast in tight, winning contested possessions by 20 in the term on their way to the comfortable lead at half-time.
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"We need to start games of football better than we did tonight," Suns coach Stuart Dew said.
"Our contested ball in the first half was minus 28, so whether you're playing last year's grand finalist or wooden-spooner, it's not going to cut it.
"We asked for a response at half-time, but really you're trying to peg back the score but it's tough."
To their credit, the Suns ramped up their effort, booting four of the first five goals of the third quarter to spark some life into the contest, but the Crows always had an answer.
MEDICAL ROOM
Adelaide: Skipper Taylor Walker left the game in the second quarter with hamstring awareness. "That was probably a bit my decision. They (the medical staff) spoke to me at half-time and said he was a bit tight and for me, it was take no risks with him. We'll scan that and see how it comes up," Crows coach Don Pyke said. Midfielder David Mackay finished the game on the bench after reporting soreness in his hip and glute.
WATCH: Tex sore on the bench
Gold Coast: Defender Rory Thompson rolled his ankle in the first quarter. He came off the ground for attention, but returned to play the rest of the game.
NEXT UP
The Crows have their second of four straight games at Adelaide Oval when they host Carlton next Saturday night, 7.10pm (ACST). The Suns are off to Mars (Stadium) to face the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat next Saturday, 1.45pm (AEST).
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ADELAIDE 4.4 10.7 13.9 16.14 (110)
GOLD COAST 2.1 3.4 7.6 9.8 (62)
GOALS
Adelaide: Douglas 3, Lynch 3, Walker 2, Gallucci 2, Knight 2, Seedsman, Ellis-Yolmen, Crouch, McGovern
Gold Coast: Swallow 3, Lonergan, Miller, Sexton, Ainsworth, Barlow, Martin
BEST
Adelaide: Milera, Laird, Gibbs, Crouch, Atkins, Talia, Lynch
Gold Coast: Swallow, Lyons, Miller, May, Barlow
INJURIES
Adelaide: Walker (hamstring), Mackay (hip/glute)
Gold Coast: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Gavine, Ryan, Gianfagna
Official crowd: 44,835 at the Adelaide Oval
