The Crows flew to a 50-point lead at half-time – 8.10 to 1.2 – and soared on to win 17.16 (118) to 4.6 (30).
As well as Adelaide played with Simon Goodwin, Mark Ricciuto and Andrew McLeod showing the way, the result still had to be measured against West Coast being without stars Ben Cousins, Chris Judd, Michael Gardiner, Phil Matera, David Wirrpunda and Michael Embley.
Adelaide was without Rhett Biglands, James Gallagher and Mark Stevens, whose future is clouded because of a knee injury.
The Eagles lost Josh Wooden late in the first quarter after he fractured his right collarbone in a heavy collision with Goodwin, and Wooden’s wing opponent, Brent Reilly, hurt his right shoulder early in the second term.
Wooden will be out for about six weeks.
It was feared Reilly had suffered a recurrence of the shoulder problem that hampered him last season, but Adelaide officials said later it was only a ‘minor strain’.
West Coast coach John Worsfold said: “We were outgunned by a very good side – and in most facets of the game. We probably expected we were going to be outgunned in certain areas but it was more comprehensive than I would have expected.
“It was a pretty disappointing loss but, overall, I’m quite happy we know where we’re at with our preparation, and we’re marching forward from there.
“We’re at a point where we’ve just managed to play a lot of good, young exciting players and give them some opportunities. In a way, they can learn more about playing in a game where it’s not being delivered that well to them – and they’ve got to really fight to win the footy – than they would if it was just a game you were in control of.
“So I think that’s probably worth two or three games for them tonight. For us, as a club, we’ve got our eyes set on round one, and our preparation for that, bar Josh Wooden’s injury, is going along pretty well.”
Worsfold said most of the players rested against Adelaide would play against Hawthorn in another practice match at Subiaco Oval next Friday.
ADELAIDE: 4.8, 8.10, 12.11, 17.16 (118)
WEST COAST: 1.0, 1.2, 3.4, 4.6 (30)
Goals – Adelaide: Carey 3, Goodwin 3, McLeod, Reilly, Johncock, Hentschel, Ricciuto, Burns, Stenglein, Bode, Welsh.
West Coast: Johnson 2, Seaby, Staker.
Best – Adelaide: Goodwin, Ricciuto, McLeod, Johncock, Burton, Hart, Carey, Bassett, McGregor.
West Coast: Jakovich, Fletcher, Kerr, Seaby.
Injuries – Adelaide: Reilly (shoulder).
West Coast: Wooden (shoulder).
Umpires: D. Woodcock, M. Avon, S. Grun, A. Dey.
Crowd: 8817 at AAMI Stadium.
