The Western Bulldogs have easily accounted for an undermanned Adelaide by 45 points in Ballarat to snare a fifth straight win as they surge towards the AFL top four.
The Bulldogs got out to an early lead and, despite their own inaccuracy, kept the Crows at arm’s length before kicking away for a 11.19 (85) to 5.10 (40) victory in front of 10,114 fans at Mars Stadium.
The win was soured by a third-quarter hamstring injury to dasher Jason Johannisen, while skipper Marcus Bontempelli looked proppy after having his left knee assessed in the third quarter but played out the game.
The Bulldogs (7-3) are only outside the top four on percentage amid their best run since starting 2021 with six consecutive wins, while Adelaide (5-5) sit eighth.
Bailey Smith racked up possessions at will to finish with 37 disposals, while Jack Macrae (two goals, 25 touches), Bailey Dale (36), Tom Liberatore, Caleb Daniel and Bontempelli (29 and a goal) had plenty of the ball.
Adelaide star Rory Laird (35 disposals, 11 clearances) was busy as the Crows, without Taylor Walker and Riley Thilthorpe, lacked punch in attack and never really got going against the Bulldogs’ organised defence, marshalled by Liam Jones.
Livewire Izak Rankine was reported in the third quarter for front-on contact on Bulldogs defender Taylor Duryea, who kept him to one goal.
Luke Beveridge’s Bulldogs conceded the first goal of the game to Lachlan Gollant but booted the next four to seize control of the contest, including Aaron Naughton taking a huge pack mark and goaling.
Adelaide’s Mitch Hinge had to be helped off early after falling heavily when making a gutsy spoil on an oncoming Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and was substituted for Sam Berry.
From the first quarter onwards, the Bulldogs controlled the contest but their poor execution around goal kept Adelaide in the game.
Josh Rachele attempted to spark the Crows into action with a wonderful spinning goal late in the second quarter to keep them in touching distance at half-time.
But the Bulldogs burst out of the main break with good intensity and early goals to Anthony Scott and Rory Lobb strengthened their grip on the contest.
Johanissen went straight off the ground after pulling up holding his hamstring after a contest with Luke Pedlar and was immediately substituted for Lachlan McNeil.
But the four-goals-to-one third quarter, including a lovely late Cody Weightman effort, proved enough to put the game to bed, with the final term a formality.