FOUR goals to Bernie Vince in his 100th game helped Adelaide to a 49-point win over West Coast at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.
But the win may have come at a cost with the Crows losing Kurt Tippett to a head clash before half-time, his third such injury in just over a month.
Vince's contribution and three goals to Jason Porplyzia were enough to secure Adelaide's win, 19.10 (124) to 11.9 (75).
Tippett went down in a clash of heads with Beau Waters at the 22-minute mark of the second term.
He stayed down for several minutes before walking gingerly from the field and heading straight for the changerooms.
The gun forward had only just returned to the side after missing one game with a similar injury.
He warmed up after the break and started the second half on the bench but was subbed off mid-way through the third term without taking to the field.
The Crows had stunned the Eagles in the opening term with six goals and 11 scoring shots to West Coast's single major.
Vince was the standout with two goals for the term, including one from just inside 50m after the siren to stretch the margin to 33 points at the first break.
The home side dominated around the ground all day with Rory Sloane, Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Thompson finding plenty of the ball and returning veteran Graham Johncock enjoying a run in the forward line, kicking two goals.
The Eagles had some solid contributors all including Daniel Kerr, Scott Selwood and Matt Priddis while Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox won the hit-outs.
But a string of turnovers cost the visitors, allowing the Crows some easy scoring opportunities.
Adelaide's lead was trimmed to 31 points at half-time and the Eagles got to within 24 midway through the final term before goals to Sam Jacobs, Vince and Porplyzia sealed the deal, as the Crows maintained their grip on a top four spot.
Adelaide moved to top spot with the win but will by overtaken by the Sydney Swans if they beat St Kilda on Sunday.
ADELAIDE 6.5 10.6 14.7 19.10 (124)
WEST COAST 1.2 5.5 8.7 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Adelaide: Vince 4, Porplyzia 3, Dangerfield, Johncock, Sloane, Jenkins 2, Douglas, Wright, van Berlo, Jacobs
West Coast: Hams 3, Darling 2, Kerr, Lynch, Masten, McGinnity, Naitanui, Sheppard
BEST
Adelaide: Dangerfield, Sloane, Thompson, Vince, Porplyzia, Jenkins
West Coast: Priddis, Gaff, Naitanui, Scott Selwood, Cox, Butler
INJURIES
Adelaide: Tippett (head knock)
West Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTIONS:
Adelaide: Kurt Tippett replaced by Brad Symes in the third quarter
West Coast: Matt Rosa replaced by Murray Newman at three-quarter time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Leppard, Fila, Meredith
Official crowd: 40,724 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
