The Dogs led by just one point at half time, but kicked eight goals to one in the pivotal quarter to run out winners, 17.16 (118) to 12.14 (86).
It was Jason Akermanis, proving again the old adage about class being permanent, that kick started the visitors in the second half.
Up until then, the game had been one of subtle momentum shifts with neither team fully cashing in when it had the running.
But the Brownlow Medallist broke the pattern with two goals in three minutes to hand the Bulldogs the first decisive buffer of the game.
In between times, the Crows failed to goal from two golden opportunities; misses that would herald a decisive shift in match fortunes.
The Dogs went on a goal scoring spree, knocking up six majors before Taylor Walker -- a shining light for the Crows up forward -- snaffled his team's only goal for the quarter.
When Robert Murphy kicked his third and Mitch Hahn added his name to the scoring sheet, the Bulldogs had established a 45-point lead and the game as a contest was over.
The fourth quarter held some interest but it was only academic. The Crows did well to win the term, kicking six goals to four; Walker showed plenty of class to kick his fourth; and Jason Porplyzia underlined his credentials as the most accurate kick in the League with a superb set shot from the boundary. It was his 18th for the season and would have set an accuracy record if not for the behind – his first in 2009 – the Adelaide sharp shooter kicked in the first quarter.
It was day to gladen the hearts of the Bulldogs' faithful with a return to the precise, flowing football that took them to a preliminary final last year.
A host of established stars also ran into good form. Murphy and Akermanis were excellent up front, while Brad Johnson (27 disposals), Adam Cooney (29) and Nathan Eagleton (29) worked tirelessly and used the ball to great effect around the ground.
Not so obvious on the stat sheet was pup Liam Picken but his nine possessions do not tell the whole tale of his wonderful, smothering job on Crows star Andrew McLeod who ended the day with 19 touches and little influence on the game.
Adelaide was good in patches but went wanting for its stars when the pressure came on. Walker was a standout, and Scott Thompson also worked hard for his 34 possessions although his influence faded after a stellar opening term.
The comfortable victory could never have been predicted at half time, with the Bulldogs enjoying the slenderest of advantages after a tight, see-sawing first two quarters.
In fact, the opening exchanges were characterised by both teams’ inability to break open the contest.
Simon Goodwin's opening goal was eventually answered when Lindsay Gilbee steered through a set shot, but not before the Dogs had missed several gettable chances that could have given them a handy break.
Murphy marked and goaled to put the Dogs' noses in front, but from there Adelaide begun to edge the contest.
Walker's first goal won back the lead, but it should have been greater than the seven points the Crows took into quarter time.
Walker was in the action again after the break, answering Dogs skipper Brad Johnson's goal to re-establish the home team's advantage.
The Bulldogs, though, were enjoying possession and territory and cut the lead again through Akermanis’ sure right boot.
A spate of behinds put the Dogs in front but then it was Adelaide's turn to surge once more.
Porplyzia kicked truly to win back the lead but, in keeping with the pattern of the afternoon, the Crows did not make hay in the South Australian sunshine and missed the chance to extend their lead.
Of course, the half had a punchline and it was delivered by Eagleton, whose long range running effort gave the visitors the narrowest of half-time margins.
But that was nothing compared to the sting that was waiting for the Crows in the third quarter. They now must try to get their season back on track against an in-form Lions outfit in Brisbane next weekend, while the Bulldogs will be eyeing two wins on the trot against bottom-placed Melbourne.
Adelaide 3.5 5.9 6.12 12.14 (86)
Western Bulldogs 2.4 5.10 13.15 17.16 (118)
GOALS
Adelaide: Walker 4, Knights 3, Porplyzia 2, Goodwin, Tippett, Edwards
Western Bulldogs: Murphy 4, Akermanis 3, Eagleton, Hill 2, Gilbee, Johnson, Cooney, Minson, Hahn, Giansiracusa
BEST
Adelaide: Walker, Thompson, Knights, Rutten, Johncock
Western Bulldogs: Cooney, Akermanis, Johnson, Eagleton, Cross, Murphy, Gilbee, Boyd
INJURIES
Adelaide: Goodwin (ankle/shin)
Western Bulldogs: Griffen (corked buttock), Shaun Higgins (groin) replaced in selected side by Scott Welsh
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, James, Hendrie
Official crowd: 31,742 at AAMI Stadium
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
