Richmond have climbed back into the AFL top eight with a comfortable 16.14 (110) to 10.12 (72) win over an out-of-form Adelaide at the MCG.

With Nathan Foley having worked his way back into touch after an injury-delayed start to the season and young midfielders Brandon Ellis and Reece Conca back from injury, the Tigers’ midfield depth overwhelmed Adelaide.

Brett Deledio, who spent much of the day running loose off halfback, racked up 28 touches.

Dustin Martin kicked four goals and won 19 disposals.

Jack Riewoldt kicked three majors and set up several others, while Troy Chaplin led a Tiger defence that was well on top and Bachar Houli provided great rebound as Richmond climbed to a 7-4 record and sixth spot.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson had declared the game a must-win for his side in the lead-up.

But Adelaide were never in the contest as they sunk to their third straight loss – the first time they’ve lost three in a row under Sanderson – to leave them on a 5-7 record and facing a huge challenge to play finals.

Richmond were 19 points up at quarter-time, after Martin and Riewoldt kicked two goals each in the first quarter, Martin scoring from a 55m set shot and a clever snap from a tight angle.

The lead stretched to 27 points by the main break, with Ellis adding two majors in the second term, and 31 by the last change.

The Crows briefly threatened a comeback with two early goals in the last quarter.

But a brilliant reply from Richmond’s former Adelaide ruckman Ivan Maric, after taking the ball directly from a boundary throw-in, started a Tigers run which killed off the contest.

Worryingly for the Crows, their three lowest scores of the season have come in their past three games.

Midfield gun Patrick Dangerfield tried to inspire his side with 28 hard-won touches but couldn’t do as much damage on the scoreboard as he might have, kicking 2.4.

Teammate Scott Thompson also worked hard with 29 disposals and the opening goal of the last term, with that pair clearly their side’s best.