Adelaide star Eddie Betts rose to the occasion in his 300th game, booting six goals in a 73-point thumping of Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Betts saved his best for last, kicking a brilliant left-foot checkside goal from hard in the left pocket that is sure to feature in the goal of the year conversation.

It was the first time the three-time All Australian had kicked six in a game since the Crows' win over Essendon in round four, 2017.

The Crows (2-3) were never troubled in disposing of the Suns, running away comfortable winners 18.11 (119) to 6.10 (46).

Betts wasn't the only player on a milestone to shine – half-back Brodie Smith running strongly out of defence and kicking two goals in his 150th game.

Co-captain Taylor Walker and small forward Lachlan Murphy chipped in with three goals each, Matt Crouch, Brad Crouch and Rory Sloane dominated through the midfield and Alex Keath was again strong in defence.

This was a reality check for the Suns (3-2) after stringing together three straight close wins against Fremantle, the Western Bulldogs and Carlton.

Touk Miller, Brayden Fiorini, ruckman Jarrod Witts and key forward Peter Wright – who kicked three of his side's six goals – could hold their heads high, but they didn't have enough contributors across the ground.

A fired-up Crows outfit was another step up in intensity and class, eager to get their stuttering season back on track after just a solitary win in the first month of the competition.

The only downside for the Crows was a shoulder injury to the versatile Wayne Milera, who came off worse for wear in a collision with Suns defender Pearce Hanley – in his 150th game – in the second quarter.

The Crows set up the victory with eight straight goals in a 31-minute burst between the second and third quarters.

After a putrid opening quarter – Murphy's goal after the siren was the only major of the term – that should be deleted from memory, it was a moment of magic from Smith that flicked the switch.

Smith marked the ball at half-forward, wheeled around immediately and booted a trademark long goal from 55m out.

 

The Crows were sparked into action.

Hugh Greenwood – in his first game of the season after struggling with an abdominal injury in the pre-season – displayed his basketball hops with an outstanding pack mark and goal, before Betts got the fans on their feet with his first of the afternoon.

David Mackay hit up Betts perfectly on the lead, going back and kicking the 40m set shot from directly in front before being mobbed by his jubilant teammates.

It was one-way traffic from there.

The Crows led by 34 points at half-time – 6.7 (43) to 1.3 (9) – stretching their advantage out to 53 points with Walker's third goal at the 11-minute mark of the third term.

The Suns chipped away, with Wright kicking their fourth goal of the game after the three-quarter time siren, but were comprehensively beaten in all aspects of the contest.

ADELAIDE           1.3     6.7    12.9    18.11 (119)
GOLD COAST     0.2     1.3      4.8         6.10 (46)

GOALS
Adelaide: Betts 6, Walker 3, Murphy 3, Greenwood 2, Smith 2, Lynch, Himmelberg
Gold Coast: Wright 3, Fiorini, Lukosius, Sexton

BEST
Adelaide: Smith, Betts, Sloane, M Crouch, B Crouch, Keath, Murphy
Gold Coast: Miller, Fiorini, Witts, Wright, Bowes

INJURIES
Adelaide: Milera (AC joint)
Gold Coast: Murdoch (hand)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: O'Gorman, Gianfagna, Mollison

Official crowd: 40,847 at Adelaide Oval