The loss ended the season for the Crows, who struggled to overcome the relentless pressure of the Blues and the very windy and at times wet conditions, going down 17.16 (118) to 6.14 (50).
The mood at Carlton had been grim during the week following the season-ending injury to its most effective player Brett Ratten, but his on-ball replacement Jimmy Plunkett starred with 34 possessions and ten deliveries into the Blues’ attacking 50 metre zone.
The best player on the field hailed from South Australia, but unfortunately for Crows fans it was Blues skipper Craig Bradley, who amassed 31 possessions - mostly delivered with precision – and kicked two goals.
Anthony Koutoufides and hard-nut Adrian Hickmott also dominated for the Blues, with small defenders Andrew McKay and Simon Fletcher also in form.
Matthew Lappin’s four first half goals (five for the game) were instrumental in the Blues opening a commanding lead early in the game.
The small forward, who many thought was unlucky to miss on All Australian selection, kicked two goals in less than two minutes during time on in the first quarter to help the Blues build a 22 point lead at the first change.
Carlton was dominant all over the ground in the opening quarter as they kicked with a breeze thought to worth about three goals. They kicked 5.4 as the Crows wasted opportunities up forward to manage just 1.6 for the quarter. Adelaide entered their attacking 50 metre zone on three more occasions than the Blues for the quarter.
Koutoufides picked up eleven possessions and five marks in the quarter to help the side amass 28 more possessions and 14 more marks than the Crows.
When the Blues kicked three goals inside the first five minutes of the second quarter to make the last six of the game they had opened a 40 point margin and never looked like letting it slip.
The Blues went inside their attacking 50 metre zone ten times more than the Crows during the second term and kicked five goals to two to lead by 44 points.
Mark Ricciuto attempted to rattle the Blues early in the second half when he laid a solid hip and shoulder on Scott Camporeale and then remonstrated with several Carlton players.
Whilst the aggressive tactic had worked in a clash between the two teams earlier in the season it had little affect on the game as the Blues went on to inflict the Crows worst defeat this season and their worst defeat in a final in the club’s history.
It was a disappointing end for Adelaide were left to reflect on a relatively successful season, one in which it was given little hope of making the finals but squeezed through in eighth spot.
The Crows won three of their last four games and were expected by many to be a real danger in the finals series with some pundits suggesting they may challenge for a third premiership in the last five years.
However the inspiration that made Adelaide such a dangerous finals team in 1997 and 1998 was totally absent today, with the match effectively over at half-time when they trailed by 44 points having kicked just three goals.
Nathan Bassett stood tall in defence, while Mark Ricciuto and Andrew McLeod kept up their good form.
Darren Jarman kicked two goals but had very few opportunities in what may yet prove to be his final game after a decorated career.
Scoreboard:
CARLTON 5.4 10.8 12.12 17.16 (118)
ADELAIDE 1.6 3. 6 5.10 6.14 ( 50)
Goals: Carlton: M Lappin 5 C Bradley 2 A Hickmott 2 J Plunkett 2 L Whitnall 2 M Allan B Fevola R Houlihan D Hulme.
Adelaide: D Jarman 2 S Welsh 2 A McLeod M Stevens.
Best: Carlton: C Bradley A Koutoufidis J Plunkett A Hickmott A McKay L Whitnall M Lappin.
Adelaide: N Bassett M Ricciuto A McLeod.
