ADELAIDE has kept the Western Bulldogs to its lowest-ever score against the Crows to storm home 52-point winners on Sunday afternoon at AAMI Stadium.

The Crows managed to hold the Bulldogs goalless for almost three quarters as they ran out 12.8 (80) to 4.4 (28) winners.

After Adam Cooney kicked the Bulldogs' second goal in the 26th minute of the opening term, the Bulldogs didn't kick another goal until Cooney scored again in the 21st minute of the last quarter.

The Bulldogs' total was lower than their 2005 effort of 5.5 (35) against Adelaide

Heavy rain ensured the first half was a slog for both sides, reflected by an amateurish disposal efficiency that hovered around 50 per cent for much of the half.

But as the clouds cleared Adelaide's usual suspects in Patrick Dangerfield (21 disposals, three goals), Rory Sloane (28 disposals, eight clearances) and Scott Thompson (29 possessions) shone, while Richard Douglas' bright start to 2013 continued with 25 disposals.

Defender Andy Otten was a rock in defence – his ability to read the flight of the ball in tricky conditions a highlight.

Cooney was the pick of the Bulldogs with 30 touches, 10 clearances and two goals, but he was well supported by mature-aged recruit Brett Goodes (27 disposals) and emerging midfielder Tom Liberatore (33 disposals).

Skipper Matthew Boyd was prolific in his return from a pre-season calf injury with 28 touches and seven clearances.

Players struggled to keep their feet on a slippery AAMI Stadium let alone control the football in the opening term, but Dangerfield's class suggested he was built for such weather.

His strength and acceleration was on full display as he booted Adelaide's first two majors.

Dangerfield kicked his third and then David Mackay kicked a goal as the Crows opened a valuable 14-point buffer midway through the second term.

Cooney was seeing plenty of the footy though with 19 first-half possessions and seven clearances.

Adelaide's momentum flowed through to the third quarter and as the ground dried the Crows accelerated, piling on five goals for the quarter.

Young gun Brad Crouch capped an impressive quarter of football from the home side, booting his first goal in senior football to extend his side's lead to 46 points at the last change.

The Bulldogs managed to avoid the embarrassment of registering its second lowest score ever by slotting two goals in the final term, but they never challenged as the Crows evened their win/loss ratio at 2-2.

ADELAIDE                           2.3   4.5   9.7  12.8  (80)                 

WESTERN BULLDOGS    2.2   2.2   2.3   4.4   (28)          

GOALS

Adelaide: Dangerfield 4, Douglas, Crouch, Henderson, Mackay, Lynch, Jenkins, Kerridge, Walker

Western Bulldogs: Cooney 2, Boyd, Macrae

BEST 

Adelaide: Dangerfield, Sloane, Thompson, Otten, Douglas, Walker

Western Bulldogs: Cooney, Liberatore, Minson, Boyd, Goodes, Wallis

 INJURIES 

Adelaide: Nil

Western Bulldogs: Griffen (shoulder) 

SUBSTITUTES

Adelaide: Jason Porplyiza replaced Taylor Walker in the fourth quarter.

Western Bulldogs: Jake Stringer replaced Daniel Giansiracusa in the third quarter.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Hosking, Kamolins, Hay