The Crows were dominant for most of the evening and booted seven goals in the final quarter to romp home 25.12.162 to 15.10.100.
Crows midfielder Andrew McLeod was outstanding again with 35 possessions while captain Mark Ricciuto, Ian Perrie and former Kangaroo Mark Stevens kicked five goals each.
Ricciuto also had 35 possessions and was close behind McLeod as best afield.
The Kangaroos were a game out of the top eight before tonight, with three rounds left before the finals, and had to beat Adelaide to stay in major round contention.
Adelaide was out of the eight before tonight only on percentage and is building up a handy head of steam leading into a likely September campaign.
The 'Roos have not missed the finals since Denis Pagan took over as coach in 1993.
Pagan was in charge of the Kangaroos for the 215th time tonight, breaking the club record held by Wally Carter.
But it rarely looked like being a game to celebrate for the home side, as the Crows led from the start and had a 16-point break at the first change.
Trailing by 42 points at halftime, the Kangaroos doubled their goal tally in the third with seven.
They were only 14 points down after kicking four straight, but two late goals in the term to Stevens meant the Crows led by 27 points at the final change.
Darren Jarman, quiet all night, kicked a goal in the first minute of the final term and Adelaide then slowed the pace of the game to ensure no Kangaroo comeback.
McLeod did his Brownlow Medal chances no harm with another strong game, picking up 20 touches and kicking a great goal in the first half.
Adelaide moved the ball better as it took control and steadily gained control of the midfield, despite a strong first half from 'Roos onballer Shannon Grant.
Glen Archer was strong in defence for the Kangaroos, but he also gave away two 50m penalties which resulted in goals.
Apart from McLeod and Ricciuto, Adelaide tagger Tyson Stenglein blanketed dangerous Kangaroo midfielder David King and Nigel Smart was strong on Wayne Carey.
Perrie should have led the Crows goalkicking with six, but missed a sitter with a few minutes left.
Scoreboard:
ADELAIDE: 6.3, 14.7, 18.10, 25.12 (162)
KANGAROOS: 3.5, 7.7, 14.7, 15.10 (100)
Goals: Adelaide: I Perrie 5 M Ricciuto 5 M Stevens 5 D Jarman 2 B Burton 2 R Biglands K Johnson A McLeod N Smart T Stenglein S Welsh. Kangaroos: M Burton 2 W Carey 2 S Clayton 2 S Grant 2 S Rocca 2 S Cochrane B Harvey D King B Rawlings J Sinclair.
Best: Adelaide: A McLeod M Riccuito I Perrie T Stenigleim M Stevens B Hart N Smart. Kangaroos: S Grant B Harvey A Simpson G Archer M Burton.
Umpires: N McKenzie, S Wenn, M Nash.
Official crowd: Unavailable at Colonial Stadium.
