LIVEWIRE Izak Rankine and some classy touches from veteran Taylor Walker have helped propel Adelaide to a 57-point victory over winless North Melbourne.

The Crows rebounded from a heartbreaking loss to Essendon last round to notch their second win of the season at Hobart's Blundstone Arena on Saturday afternoon.

KANGAROOS v CROWS Full match coverage and stats

The 20.18 (138) to 12.9 (81) result came at a cost for Adelaide, with young midfielder Luke Pedlar suffering a shoulder injury in the first quarter.

Rankine added to his highlight reel with four goals for the match, including two back-to-back in the third quarter from tight set-shot angles.

He also picked up 17 possessions and one goal assist in an eye-catching showing.

The Kangaroos remain anchored to the foot of the ladder after seven games, while the Crows are 2-5 ahead of Thursday's Showdown at Adelaide Oval.

Walker picked up two goals and was unselfish throughout, offering shots to team mates in better positions and ending up with three assists.

Coach Matthew Nicks praised the veteran's generosity after the match.

"It's something we've prided ourselves on for years, putting the team first," Nicks said.

"There were times when I looked at (Taylor's decisions) as a coach and I reckoned ‘you kick that normally’.

"But I’ll take (goals) that way any day. The way he played, it's setting a great example for where we want to get to as a footy club."

Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson led from the front in the first half and finished with 27 touches, while Rory Laird had a game-high 34 touches and 13 clearances.

North Melbourne's Colby McKercher was busy in a losing side with 32 possessions, while Cameron Zurhaar booted three goals.

Adelaide smothered the Kangaroos with defensive pressure early and had a 20-point lead at quarter time with Rankine picking up a brace of goals.

North Melbourne fought hard to keep the damage at a minimum in the second quarter before an easy turnover inside its defensive 50 gifted rookie Brayden Cook a goal.

Adelaide then put on three goals in a row, with the margin 75-40 at the main break.

The Kangaroos managed just one goal to five in the third term but won the final quarter 32-30 on the back of four goals in a row.

"As a footy club … (we) stay the course and hang in there," North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson said.

"The whole footy world was up in arms about where Adelaide were two or three years ago, and we're in a very similar boat.

"We’re prepared to be patient. The football world and our supporters want results quicker than this ... but you’ve got to do the tough yards."

The kids are alright
In a game with little upside for North Melbourne, Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma gave Roos fans something to smile about. Tasmanian native and no.2 draft pick McKercher quietly went about his business and finished with 32 disposals in front of a home crowd, while no.4 pick Duursma showed just how dangerous he can be in front of goal.

Four more for the Rankine file
After a quiet game last week, the mercurial Izak Rankine was back to his best against the Kangaroos. His first two goals set the tone for the Crows' day, and he was also handy around the ball with six clearances. He finished with four goals and eleven score involvements.

Walker winds back the clock
In his 17th AFL season, Taylor Walker is still doing things of which other forwards can only dream. Selling candy to the man on the mark before running around and kicking from the 50m arc, his goal in the second quarter was an instant classic. The veteran finished with three goals and 12 score involvements.

NORTH MELBOURNE           2.3        6.4        7.7          12.9  (81)
ADELAIDE                           5.5        11.9       16.12      20.18  (138)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Zurhaar 3, Larkey 2, Duursma 2, Powell, Tucker, Wardlaw, Davies-Uniacke, Lazzaro
Adelaide: Rankine 4, Cook 3, Walker 2, Himmelberg 2, Keays 2, Pedlar, Jones, Dawson, Laird, Sholl, McHenry, Fogarty

BEST
North Melbourne: McKercher, Zurhaar, Sheezel, Davies-Uniacke, Wardlaw
Adelaide: Laird, Rankine, Crouch, Walker, Dawson

INJURIES
North Melbourne: None
Adelaide: Pedlar (shoulder)

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Zac Fisher (replaced Will Phillips during the third quarter)
Adelaide: Ned McHenry (replaced Luke Pedlar at quarter-time)

Crowd: 5,365