Adelaide has overcome a nervy ending to defeat Carlton by 16 points at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.
The damage was done early in the 10.12 (72) to 8.8 (56) result, with the Blues trailing by 31 points at the first change after Adelaide kept David Teague's men goalless.
An expectation of a rapid turnaround, as the Blues have been able to manufacture at different stages this season, didn't transpire in the second quarter as the Crows continued to dominate and extend their lead to 44 points at the main break.
Carlton was better after half-time, booting seven goals to two, but by then they had given themselves too much work to do as Adelaide held on to their third straight win.
Coach Matthew Nicks will be most buoyed by the players who led the charge. Youngster Lachie Sholl had a breakout game with 24 disposals and two goals, and Harry Schoenberg (21 disposals) and Andrew McPherson (17) continued to show strong signs, while Elliott Himmelberg, Chayce Jones and Shane McAdam combined for four goals.
Matt Crouch was also busy in the midfield with 28 disposals, including 13 in the first quarter to help set up the win, while Rory Laird and final-gamer Bryce Gibbs were among Adelaide's best.
With four goals Harry McKay was a standout for Carlton in attack, while Sam Walsh (22 disposals) and Patrick Cripps, who kicked an amazing team-lifting goal in the third term, were also solid. But the Blues, who lost co-captain Sam Docherty to a calf injury in the first quarter, will rue the defeat when so much was on the line.
CARLTON 0.2 1.3 4.5 8.8 (56)
ADELAIDE 5.3 8.5 8.8 10.12 (72)
GOALS
Carlton: McKay 4, Cripps, McGovern, O'Brien, Setterfield
Adelaide: Himmelberg 2, Sholl 2, B.Crouch, Frampton, Jones, Lynch, McAdam, Smith
BEST
Carlton: McKay, Walsh, Setterfield, Cripps, Gibbons
Adelaide: Sholl, M.Crouch, Laird, Schoenberg, B.Crouch, Gibbs
INJURIES
Carlton: Docherty (calf), Fisher (shoulder)
Adelaide: Nil
