ADELAIDE was rewarded for its team discipline and persistence last night with a surprisingly easy 33-point win against North Melbourne at AAMI Stadium — its seventh straight against the Kangaroos.

Generally, neither side was able to produce its usual ball-handling skills early because of the dewy conditions, so it got down to a battle of attrition, with the Crows prevailing.

It was also a contest where opportunities had to be created, and that wasn't easy as both sides covered each other well, often turning the game into a contest of hard-ball-gets. So to break away so convincingly, and win so comfortably, was an outstanding performance by the Crows, and further testimony that Neil Craig's replenished young squad is a genuine contender.

Some superb passages of play evolved, too, and perhaps the style of the game was best displayed early in the second term when Adelaide led 1.9 to 2.2. Its defence rebounded well and forced the ball along the members' wing. Its forward line was open, and a clear kick would have probably earned a goal. But Daniel Pratt lunged and spoiled what appeared a certain mark. The Kangaroos centred the ball, found Leigh Harding by himself, and goaled, giving them the lead.

However, determination is not always enough, especially when the opposition responds in similar fashion. Adelaide didn't produce sparkling football, it just matched its opposition with endeavour, and ultimately showed that it has that touch more up forward at crucial stages.

Another telling factor was Adelaide's abysmal kicking for goal early — scores were level at quarter-time, 1.8 to 2.2 — although three of those behinds were rushed.

Adelaide's second goal came from a free kick, and when Lindsay Thomas responded, there was this feeling the Kangaroos had Adelaide's measure. But again, the Crows showed character, and kicked the next four goals to lead by 20 points at half-time.

Of course, North Melbourne didn't give up, even after Adelaide kicked three early goals in the third — two classics from Jason Porplyzia — to seize control. It was what made Adelaide's win so impressive; not always the skills in greasy conditions, but its ability to match the Kangaroos' renowned endeavour and then surge.

While Brett Burton and Porplyzia caused the most havoc up forward, it was largely Adelaide's disciplined defence led by Graham Johncock, Nathan Bassett and Nathan Bock and the vastly improved rookie David Mackay that worked hard and created many opportunities — a terrific effort when considering the absence of its best backmen, Ben Rutten and Brad Symes.

It was no coincidence that when Daniel Wells, Shannon Grant and Brent Harvey were able to shine in the midfield, the Kangaroos were at their most dangerous. When Adelaide's Robert Shirley, Michael Doughty and Simon Goodwin went into the middle, the effect of the North trio eased, and so did the its scoring.

Between North's third and fourth goals involving about 35 minutes of play, Adelaide went from 2.10 to 11.11. It was an impressive end to the second term, and a magnificent start to the third, and for a rare time the Kangaroos were stunned. The Crows' run and attack on the ball was perhaps their best this season.

The Roos' capitulation — thanks largely to a magnificent four-goal third term by Porplyzia — will cause deep concern.

The Kangaroos avoided dubious score records by a much-better fourth term, but the 59-point three-quarter-time margin was far too great to overcome.

ADELAIDE  1.8 6.11 14.11 15.17 (107)
NORTH MELBOURNE  2.2 4.3 5.6 11.8 (74)

GOALS Adelaide: Porplyzia 4, Burton 3, Goodwin 3, Tippett 2, Edwards, Jacky, Douglas. North Melbourne: Thompson 2, Grant 2, Harvey 2, Harding 2, Thomas, Wells, Jones.

BEST Adelaide: Porplyzia, Mackay, Johncock, Thompson, Edwards, Goodwin, Doughty. North Melbourne: Simpson, Rawlings, Harding, Pratt, Petrie.

INJURIES Adelaide: Douglas (knee). North Melbourne: Hale (hip).

UMPIRES Schmitt, Chamberlain, Jeffery

CROWD 41,898 at AAMI Stadium.

THE UPSHOT THE Kangaroos have now lost their past seven games against the Crows, and the chance to snatch a top-four spot disappeared.

TALKING POINT NORTH MELBOURNE'S capitulation between its third and fourth goals, when Adelaide slammed on 9.1. Pre-season, were the Crows the most underrated side in the league?

HOT AND COLD JASON Porplyzia in the third term — four goals. Nathan Thompson (two goals) and Corey Jones (one) when the match was well and truly beyond the Kangaroos.