The Crows 20.13 (133) defeated the Hawks 6.11(47) to win their third match of the season, which may be looked upon in the coming future as a defining point in their year.
On top of losing its eighth match of the season, the day got even worse for Hawthorn, when it lost skipper Shane Crawford with a broken forearm in the final quarter.
Crawford was tackled by Adelaide youngster Martin Mattner and as the Brownlow Medallist fell to the ground his right arm was trapped and took the weight of the tackle.
It was feared that Crawford's injury could end his season.
Although Adelaide entered round 10 with just two wins to its name, the Crows had also played just three home games.
And with Adelaide playing eight of its remaining 12 home-and-away matches at home in the second half of the season, the year suddenly looks brighter in 2004.
Interestingly, it was also the third time Adelaide kicked over 100 points in 2004, with each occasion producing a victory. Hawthorn has cracked the ton just once this year, in its round one victory against Melbourne.
Ricciuto, who has carried over his Brownlow Medal winning form into 2004, was best-on-ground with another stunning individual performance. It was the fourth time this season he has notched up over 30 disposals in a game.
In what potentially could have been Carey's final game at the MCG, 'The King' was crucial, when it was thought he would be a late withdrawal due to a neck injury.
Structurally, the return of Mark Stevens was also importatn. Stevens, who kicked eight goals in the SANFL last week on his return from a serious knee injury, was playing just his first AFL game for the season. He booted four goals in a fine display.
Andrew McLeod and Tyson Edwards were also brilliant, while promising youngster Jacob Schuback played his finest game for the club.
Hawthorn ruckman Peter Everitt was clearly his side's best player, with midfielders Sam Mitchell and Angelo Lekkas also solid performers.
The home side started the match in fine style, posting the opening two goals to lead by 14 points at the seven-minute mark and the early signs pointed towards a Hawthorn day out.
The Hawks had entered its forward 50 on seven occasions before the Crows even got a look in.
But when Adelaide entered its forward 50 for the first time, Stevens converted with his first kick of 2004.
Stevens' goal was the start of five unanswered majors from the Crows, as the visitors fought back to lead by 14 points at quarter-time.
McLeod was instrumental during this period, booting two scintillating goals. His first was a dodging, weaving, snap under pressure from the pocket, while his next was a classical crumbing goal, topped off with some McLeod magic.
The dual Norm Smith Medallist cleaned up off the pack with his a one-touch grab and dribbled through an absolute gem.
Nick Holland had the chance to pinch a goal just before the first interval but he fluffed a regulation set-shot for goal.
Adelaide increased the lead to 29 points early in the second term, when Stevens booted his second and ruckman Matthew Clarke kicked truly, which made it seven in a row.
Simon Beaumont broke the Hawks' drought with his side's only goal for the second quarter at the 10-minute mark, but Crows added another couple before half-time to enter the main break with a 36-point lead.
The statistics were telling at half-time. Both sides had 132 disposals each, but Adelaide had 27 more kicks and Hawthorn had 27 more handballs.
Adelaide playmakers Ricciuto, McLeod and Edwards were also terrific during the first half, racking up close to 40 touches between them.
Carey turned it on after half-time when he produced a magnificent third term, which included three majors and a vintage goal on the run.
His efforts, combined with five goals to two from the Crows during that period helped them gain a 56-point lead at the final change.
With the result all but over entering the final term, Adelaide booted six goals to one to equal its greatest winning margin over Hawthorn. The Crows achieved 86-point victories in 1991 and 2000.
Adelaide coach Gary Aryes said the result did not surprise him and that he believed the Crows’ efforts of the past few weeks had been promising.
“I don’t think personally that we’ve been playing all that bad. I know there’s a lot that has been said about myself and the club but formwise I don’t think we have been that bad. We ran Fremantle over there to a kick and half, we were beaten by Collingwood by three points.”
However, Ayres was not buying into speculation of September, saying the success was just the first step in a long road back for the club.
“Let’s not get too excited about what happened today. It’s a win, it had plenty of merit, a lot of the things we practiced for and discussed came off, you can see that on the scoreboard. Obviously what you’ve got to do is follow that up.”
Hawthorn coach Peter Schwab said in his post-match media conference that the entire club was "disappointed".
"It doesn't (get any more embarrassing than that). It was terrible. It was a terrible performance. (There) was nothing positive to come out of the game," Schwab said after the match.
"There was nothing leading into it. Our last two weeks have been encouraging, with a win down in Tassie and a near miss up in Sydney, so there was no reason to expect that we would come out and get blown away like we did, so it's hard to account for it.
"I can't sit here and even think about finding one winner on our side. I can't even come up with a player who probably won his position."
Hawthorn: 2.6 3.8 5.8 6.11 (47)
Adelaide: 5.2 9.8 14.11 20.13 (133)
Goals: Hawthorn: Bateman, Beaumont, Everitt, Picioane, Tallis, Thompson
Adelaide: Carey 4, M.Stevens 4, Ricciuto 3, McLeod 2, Schuback 2, Bock, Clarke, Hentschel, Mattner, Shirley
Best: Hawthorn: Everitt, Mitchell, Lekkas, Graham
Adelaide: Ricciuto, McLeod, M.Stevens, Carey, Edwards, Schuback, Johncock, Hart, McGregor
Injuries: Hawthorn: Crawford (arm)
Adelaide: None
Changes: Hawthorn: Nil
Adelaide Begley (groin) replaced in the selected side by Torney
Reports:
Umpires: Davis, Wenn, Ellis
Crowd: 22,942 at MCG
