Adelaide have reclaimed top spot on the AFL ladder with a bruising 46-point win over Melbourne in Darwin.

The Crows led at every break and survived a late Demons comeback to post a 17.14 (116) to 10.10 (70) win at Tio Stadium on Saturday night.

Tom Lynch was outstanding in his return game, booting three goals and gathering 27 disposals just over a fortnight since being in intensive care with viral meningitis.

Star midfielder Rory Sloane was knocked out when his head slammed into the turf in a fair but heavy tackle from Melbourne’s Dean Kent late in the third quarter.

A dazed and confused Sloane refused to be taken off on a stretcher and had to be instructed by skipper Taylor Walker to leave the field.

Kent quickly found himself in the wars, suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder after landing awkwardly in a tackle.

Minutes later, Demons defender Jayden Hunt unleashed a monster 65m torpedo to cut the three-quarter time margin to 22 points.

But Adelaide weren’t to be denied, with Walker booting two of his four goals in an outstanding final term.

The Crows led by 47 points early in the third term before the Dees threatened a comeback with a four-goal run.

Adelaide’s star-studded forward line were again superb, with Walker, Lynch, Mitch McGovern and Eddie Betts all scoring multiple goals.

It was a different story for Melbourne, with Jesse Hogan held goalless and Tom McDonald managing just one major.

Clayton Oliver and Jordan Lewis fought hard in the midfield but were outmatched by Adelaide’s Rory Laird, Brad Crouch and Matt Crouch.

Bernie Vince held Sloane to just eight disposals but the former Crow looks certain to be in trouble with the match review panel.

Vince was reported for a head-high bump on Adelaide’s Richard Douglas in the second quarter, and a first-quarter elbow to the head of Betts will also be closely scrutinised.