Dominant Dawson fires Crows to big win over Carlton

Adelaide (5-3) climbed to fourth on the ladder as the Blues' bubble burst - after three consecutive wins, they nurse a 3-5 win-loss record in 13th spot.

Dawson set Adelaide's tone with a dominant 11-disposal opening quarter while Josh Worrell produced an outstanding defensive display.

Worrell collected 23 disposals and took seven marks while Adelaide's attackers flourished with Darcy Fogarty, Ben Keays, Josh Rachele, Izak Rankine and Alex Neal-Bullen slotting two goals each.

Carlton, never in the hunt after conceding five goals to two in the opening term, were well-served by skipper Patrick Cripps (24 touches) and George Hewett (25) in the midfield.

But with Adelaide's Worrell ruling in defence, the Blues' attack was smothered - the visitors couldn't manage consecutive goals until the dying stages of the game, though Cripps, Charlie Curnow and Corey Durdin booted two apiece overall.

The Crows began briskly, booting 5.2 to 2.4 in an opening term,  propelled by Dawson's ball-gathering.

Adelaide forward Neal-Bullen converted two set shots and the home side cashed in on having 32 more disposals than the Blues for the quarter.

Carlton reduced its deficit to 13 points one minute into the second term with a trademark Curnow strike from long-range.

But the Crows then resumed control by kicking the next three goals - the last in the burst, Dawson from a tight angle on the siren, gave the hosts a 33-point halftime lead, 8.7 to 3.4.

Adelaide sliced the Blues in space, with Carlton minus 59 in uncontested possessions at the break - their worst first half differential in the statistic since 2019.

And while Carlton's Durdin booted two majors in the third term, the Crows added five more - three in an eye-catching three minutes late in the quarter capped by classy snaps from Rachele and Rankine.

Adelaide held a commanding 52-point break at three quarter-time, 13.10 to 5.6, before closing out victory and kicking 100 or more points for the fifth time in eight games.