With Taylor Walker suspended and Kurt Tippett (concussion) a late withdrawal, it was left to some smaller Crows to lead the way in the 27.16 (178) to 8.11 (59) victory in front of 7669 fans at the AFL's newest venue.
Jason Porplyzia and Ian Callinan kicked four goals each for the visitors, ably supported by Bernie Vince and Rory Sloane (three each), with Scott Thompson and Richard Douglas among eight multiple goal kickers on a big day out for the Crows.
Callan Ward and Toby Greene again stood out for the Giants, while Adam Treloar battled manfully in his duel with Patrick Dangerfield and Chad Cornes and Phil Davis held their own in defence.
Jonathan Patton, Jeremy Cameron and Israel Folau also lined up together for the first time in the GWS forward line and all had their moments, with Folau's best contributions coming in the ruck, but it will be some time before the inexperienced trio clicks into gear.
As has so often been the case this year, the young Giants faded after a competitive start, with the Crows moving to 12-3 for the year and snaring the percentage lift they would have sought.
Vince kicked a goal 35 seconds into the match directly from a GWS turnover, but the Giants showed they were up for the challenge in the initial stages.
With Greene, mature-age first-gamer Steve Clifton and Cornes busy early, Nathan Wilson and Ward kicked goals to put the home side in front midway through the first quarter.
The Crows responded, kicking the next four goals, but they were being confronted by the plucky Giants, who trailed by 16 points at the first break.
GWS then closed the gap to just three points via Treloar and Patton goals, but that only served to ignite the Crows.
In the ensuing 10 minutes, Adelaide put 4.2 on the board without reply as the expected script began to unfold, taking a 32-point lead into half-time.
GWS coach Kevin Sheedy would have been pulling his hair out early in the third quarter, with his young side dominating possession but only registering one behind and three consecutive shots out on the full.
The Crows then piled on 11 of the next 13 goals to blow away the young Giants, who are showing the wear and tear of a long debut season.
A suspected ankle injury to Ricky Henderson and a hamstring strain to Brodie Martin were the only real negatives for the Crows ahead of next week's clash with West Coast at AAMI Stadium.
ADELAIDE: 5.2 9.9 17.12 27.16 (178)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY: 2.4 4.7 5.8 8.11 (59)
GOALS
Adelaide: Porplyzia 4, Callinan 4, Sloane 3, Vince 3, Douglas 2, Jacobs 2, Thompson 2, Lynch 2, Smith, Jenkins, Van Berlo, Rutten, Mackay
Greater Western Sydney: Cornes, Haynes, Davis, Greene, Patton, Treloar, Ward, Wilson
BEST
Adelaide: Thompson, Vince, Reilly, Porplyzia, Jacobs,Wright
Greater Western Sydney: Ward, Greene, Treloar, Davis, Cornes, Coniglio
INJURIES
Adelaide: Tippett (concussion) replaced in selected side by Lynch, Henderson (ankle), Martin (hamstring)
Greater Western Sydney: Palmer (concussion)
SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Chris Knights replaced Ricky Henderson in the second quarter
Greater Western Sydney: Luke Power replaced Rhys Palmer at half-time
Umpires: Fleer, Hosking, Mollison
Official crowd: 7669 at Skoda Stadium
