Adelaide enhanced their status as the AFL’s big improvers with a crushing 50-point victory against reigning premiers Geelong on Saturday.

The Crows blitzed Geelong in the opening half en route to a 19.8 (122) to 10.12 (72) triumph at AAMI Stadium.

Forward Taylor Walker kicked three goals as the Crows posted their sixth win from seven rounds before 35,535 spectators.

Geelong were uncharacteristically error-prone and lost Tom Gillies (knee) and Allen Christensen (calf) to injury – compounding the pre-game withdrawals of Jimmy Bartel and Matthew Scarlett.

Adelaide, under new coach Brenton Sanderson – a former Geelong assistant – have rebounded from their worst ever finish of 14th spot last season.

The Crows overpowered Geelong with a stunning opening half which created a 63-point lead at halftime – 14.5 to 4.2.

Propelled by midfielder Scott Thompson, Adelaide were remarkably efficient and had 19 scores from 26 entries into their attacking 50 metre arc in the half.

The Cats were unable to control Crow spearhead Walker while Kurt Tippett, Graham Johncock and the lively Jared Petrenko each kicked two goals.

Walker, though, will attract scrutiny for a first quarter sling tackle on Geelong’s Harry Taylor.

Walker pinned the arms of the Cat defender and slung him to the ground, with a dazed Taylor forced from the field – he returned in the second term.

Geelong, now with a 4-3 win-loss record this season, meet Collingwood on Friday night in a rematch of last year’s grand final while the Crows travel to Melbourne to play Carlton next Sunday.