The Sydney Swans have put a week of off-field turmoil behind them, smashing a disappointing Adelaide by 52 points to reclaim fourth spot on the ladder and put a dent in the Crows' finals hopes.
Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett combined for six goals – all in the first half – in the 17.15 (117) to 9.11 (65) victory in front of a season's best SCG crowd of 38,690 on Saturday afternoon.
The result lifts the club to a 12-5 win-loss record and moves it back into fourth spot, after the Tigers briefly moved into the top four following their stirring win over Hawthorn on Friday night.
Meanwhile, Adelaide's finals hopes have suffered a big blow. The Crows have dropped down to eighth spot behind Geelong on percentage and could be outside the top eight by the end of the round.
It was a dominant display from the 2014 grand finalists, who came into the match on the back of two straight losses and with the Adam Goodes booing saga still front and centre in the football world.
Swans coach John Longmire said he was pleased how the playing group was able to keep its attention on the match during the tough week.
"Adam is a pretty popular member of our football club and he's got some strong relationships, and it was tough on our playing group early in the week to be able to support Adam," Longmire said after the match.
"But as the week went on to be able to focus back on the football and at the job at hand, they were able to do it really well."
None of those off-field issues seemed to matter once the ball was bounced as the Swans jumped the Crows at the start, piling on six goals to two in the opening 30 minutes to lead by 24 points at the first break.
The home side maintained its intensity in the second term to extend the advantage to 43 points at the main break and effectively seal the result.
Adelaide lifted briefly in the third term, booting consecutive goals for the only time in the match late in the quarter to reduce the margin to 37 points. However, the Swans had all the answers and saw off the Crows' brief challenge.
Dan Hannebery (40 touches and three goals), Jarrad McVeigh (37 possessions, one goal) and Tom Mitchell (35 disposals, eight tackles) were among the Swans' best in what was a fairly even team effort.
By contrast, Adelaide had few winners on the day. Tom Lynch kicked three goals and skipper Taylor Walker, who booted two majors in his 100th AFL game, made the most of their limited opportunities, while Patrick Dangerfield finished up with 10 kicks and 17 handballs.
Adelaide interim coach Scott Camporeale said his players could not match the Swans' pressure and intensity, particularly through the middle of the ground.
"Our midfield got their colours lowered today particularly in that first half," Camporeale said after the match.
"At the end of the day I am a big believer the best midfield wins and unfortunately in that first half our midfield wasn't at the level required."
Although Goodes was missing from the team after being granted leave from the club, the Brownlow medallist was recognised before the match when the SCG big screen showed highlights of the champion player's career as part of a 60-second countdown to the first bounce.
And like he did the previous week against West Coast, Lewis Jetta again recognised Goodes after kicking a goal - his running shot from long range was the Swans' first of the afternoon - with a short dance.
And the fans showed their appreciation for Goodes in the seventh minute of the third term with a standing ovation.
Next weekend, Adelaide hosts Richmond on Friday night, while the Swans are away to Geelong on Saturday evening.
SYDNEY SWANS 6.2 11.5 13.9 17.15 (117)
ADELAIDE 2.2 4.4 7.8 9.11 (65)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Tippett 3, Franklin 3, Hannebery 3, Parker 2, Kennedy 2, Jetta, Reid, Lloyd, McVeigh
Adelaide: Lynch 3, Walker 2, Jenkins 2, Lyons, Betts
BEST
Sydney Swans: McVeigh, Hannebery, Rampe, Parker, Kennedy, Mitchell
Adelaide: Lynch, Dangerfield, Thompson, Douglas, Wright, Smith
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Nil
Adelaide: Brodie Martin (illness) replaced in selected side by Matt Crouch
SUBSTITUTES
Sydney Swans: Brandon Jack replaced Ben McGlynn in the last quarter
Adelaide: Matt Crouch replaced Riley Knight in the last quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Pannell, Mollison
Official crowd: 38,690 at the SCG
