Adelaide are now 3-1 after taking care of North Melbourne by 41 points at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
The final scores read Adelaide 16. 13 (109) def North Melbourne 10.8 (68).
The Kangaroos showed improved effort after their 128-point thrashing to the Bulldogs last week, but were always going to struggle after losing Luke McDonald (pectoral injury) and Cameron Zurhaar (concussion) early in the game.
David Noble’s side led by four points at the last break before being ran down by the Crows in the final term.
North Melbourne club great David King told Fox Footy post-match that “something has to give” after the Kangaroos' poor last quarter.
“The problem is they leave a ‘but’ on the end of everything,” King said.
“He was good… but… they were good… but… you walk away 41 points (down) at the end.
“When you give up eight goals in the last quarter you can’t be happy with that.
“Something has to give.”
While King was disappointed with the Roos’ final 30 minutes, he admitted he enjoyed watching their improved ball movement heading inside 50.
“They were good to watch,” King said.
“They got their ball use back forward of centre which was great.”
The Crows have now equalled their win tally from the entirety of last season after just four rounds, with Matthew Nicks’ high-pressure game plan again stacking up.
Key forward Taylor Walker enjoyed another standout performance, kicking three goals and taking his season tally to 20 after just four games.
The Kangaroos go in search of their first win against Geelong next Sunday while Adelaide host Fremantle in the same timeslot next week.