Adelaide recorded its eighth win of the year and looms as a smoky in the finals’ race after it produced an emphatic 42-point victory over Carlton at Optus Oval on Sunday.

The Crows 13.14 (92) defeated the Blues 7.8 (50) in front of a crowd of 19,242 people in traditional wintry football conditions.

Adelaide was too strong across the board as they notched up 305 disposals compared to Carlton’s 226, to completely overshadow a struggling Carlton, while one of the positive aspects of the victory was the performance of Wayne Carey.

Although the boom Adelaide recruit finished with 11 disposals, it was his football smarts and one-percentres that were crucial in the overall context of the game. He had a hand in setting up several goals.

However, the underrated Graham Johncock was the star of the show up forward and produced a best-on-ground display, when he booted five goals for match. He also finished with 19 touches.

Brett Burton was also among the possessions and played an outstanding game, collecting 34 possessions and 10 marks. Andrew McLeod and Mark Ricciuto were as always among the thick of the action, while in defence, Nathan Bassett and Ben Hart were also key players.

Carlton’s best was Scott Camporeale with 25 disposals, but it was an otherwise forgettable day for the Blues, who lost their fourth game out of the past five matches.

The Blues kicked just seven goals for the match, with Brad Fisher the only multiple goalkicker.

The much-anticipated match-up of Mick Martyn on Carey didn’t eventuate until the final quarter, as Martyn picked-up Adelaide forward Ian Perrie, while young Blues’ defender Bret Thornton lined-up on Carey on the opening three terms.

But the pre-match Carlton banner which read - The Crows may have Wayne Carey but watch out Duck, Mick Martyn is very scary - must have fired up the former Kangaroos’ premiership teammates.

Carey was obviously not too scared of his former ally, and the duo tangled briefly before the opening bounce.

When the siren sounded to open the match, it was the home side which made the most of its opportunities, as Simon Beaumont and Camporeale both kicked truly to give the Blues a 12-point lead at the three-minute mark.

The Carlton faithful must have thought it was going to be their day as Ricciuto was forced to leave the field – although he did return to play out the majority of the game.

But the Crows’ class quickly shone through, as they hit-back with three unanswered goals to gain the lead by the 10-minute mark.

The contest proved to be an even one for the remainder of the quarter, as both teams added just one further goal for the term – Carlton’s from Brendan Favola while Johncock snapped a beauty to bring up his second and the Crows took a four-point lead into the break.

And with the rain coming down during the second term, goal-scoring became a difficult feat, but not for the dymanic McLeod, who booted two in two minutes – the only goals registered for the quarter.

The Blues not only failed to post a major during the second term, they were unable to even post a behind, as the Crows took an 18-point margin into the half-time break.

And although the margin was well within reach for the home side, the Blues never looked threatening during the second term and this was confirmed after half-time, when the Crows booted six goals to one in the third quarter.

Adelaide went into the final change with a 40-point lead, while Johncock had four for the match, after booting two for the term.

Carlton could muster just one goal during the third quarter via Lance Whitnall and when Ricciuto banged home a brilliant captain’s goal after the three-quarter time siren, the Crows had rubbed further salt into the Blues’ wound.

In the end, the Crows added a further three goals to two, but it had no bearing on the overall result.

CARLTON: 3.5 3.5 4.8 7.8 (50)
ADELAIDE: 4.3 6.5 11.6 13.14 (92)

GOALS: Carlton: Fisher, Camporeale 2, Whitnall, Lappin, Fevola 1.
Adelaide: Johncock 5, McLeod, Ladhams 2, Burns, Stenglein, Perrie, Ricciuto 1.
BEST: Carlton: Camporeale, Whitnall, Koutoufides, McKay, Lappin.
Adelaide: Johncock, Burton, Bassett, Hart, Riccuito, Carey, McLeod.
INJURIES: Carlton: None
Adelaide: None
CHANGES: Carlton: French replaced in the selected side by Eccles.
Adelaide: None
REPORTS: None
UMPIRES: Fussell, Head and Rowston.
CROWD: 19,242 at Optus Oval.