After a week of scrutiny over his form and fitness, star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield responded in emphatic fashion against West Coast at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

One of the most-improved players in the competition, Dangerfield made a blistering start to the season, amassing 30-plus possessions in four of his first 10 games. However, the game-breaking onballer averaged a more modest 23 possessions in the month leading into Adelaide’s clash with West Coast, prompting questions as to whether his crash-and-bash style of play was starting to take a toll.

Unhappy with his recent performances, Dangerfield appeared determined to rediscover his best form in the all-important game against the Eagles, racking up 13 possessions in the first quarter alone. He finished the day with 28 touches, nine clearances, seven inside 50ms and two goals.

And he did all of that sporting a glove to protect a sore hand.

“It was nice to get a few clearances and a few touches,” Dangerfield told afc.com.au after the game.

“Hopefully, I can pick up my form from here on in.”

Dangerfield was pivotal in Adelaide’s fast start against West Coast.

The Crows dominated the midfield battle in the first quarter and applied enormous defensive pressure to force the visitors into error. The home team generated 11 scoring shots to West Coast’s three in the opening term, and led 6.5 (35) to 1.2 (8) at quarter-time.

It was the seventh time in nine games at AAMI Stadium this season Adelaide claimed first-quarter honours. The Crows were able to maintain that five-goal buffer for most of the game, and kicked away in the final quarter to win by 49 points.

“We set ourselves for a really fast start. The opposition team has had to travel over here, and if we can put them on the back foot they have to play catch-up footy,” Dangerfield said.

“Luckily, today we executed the plan and continued on from the first quarter.”

The only downside to Adelaide’s comprehensive win was another head injury to forward Kurt Tippett. Tippett was substituted early in the third quarter after sustaining a mild concussion - his third in five weeks - in a clash of heads with West Coast hard man Beau Waters in the second term

Tippett’s absence forced another reshuffle of the team’s forward line structure, and paved the way for utility Josh Jenkins to play a bigger role. Jenkins provided a target in attack, kicking two goals from a career-high 20 disposals.

“Joshy was fantastic. Even when he doesn’t mark the ball, he still creates a contest and you can read it pretty well,” Dangerfield said.

“It was unlucky for ‘Tippo’ to go down again … but it’s a real strength of the group that we’re able to rally and have other players step up.”

Tippett, who missed the clash with Greater Western Sydney, was one of six changes to the team to play West Coast. There were concerns outside the Club the mass changes could have an unsettling effect, but Dangerfield said it was just the opposite.

“It was talked about during the week that it can unsettle a side having that many changes, but everyone knows that when they come into the side they have no choice but to perform or you’ll be straight back out of the side,” he said.

“That’s been a real positive for us.”

The injury-hit Crows forward line will be bolstered by the return of Taylor Walker, who has served a three-match suspension, next week. Adelaide will venture to Simonds Stadium to take on a Geelong team that rediscovered top gear against Essendon on Friday night.

Dangerfield said his side would take a “huge amount of confidence” out of the win over premiership fancies West Coast.

“A win is a win, so you’re happy to get the four points against anyone. But certainly the good sides are able to beat the teams at the pointy end of the ladder and that’s what we were able to do today,” he said.

“The Cats looked very good on Friday night, so we’re going to have to play our best footy to beat them. It’s always nice to go home and play at the old stomping ground, so I’m looking forward to it.”