AN INJURY-HIT Carlton has been denied its third consecutive victory for the first time since 2004 after Adelaide ran away with a comfortable 30-point win at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues 11.15 (81) went down to the Crows 16.15 (111).

After leading at the first two breaks, an under-manned Carlton was overrun by Adelaide in the second half

The Blues had just 20 fit players at their disposal after running tall Bret Thornton and key forward Adam Hartlett were both sidelined well before half time.

Still, Adelaide had its own injury concerns when it lost All-Australian defender Ben Rutten with a back injury late in the second term and Brad Symes sent a scare through the Crows' camp when he was assisted from the field in the third quarter. Symes, however, returned to the field and played out the match.

In the end, Carlton's loss of Thornton (knee) and the absence of Hartlett, who succumbed to another hamstring injury just minutes into the second quarter, were critical.

Ruckman Cameron Cloke also appeared to hurt his knee during the match, although he played out the day, while first-gamer Steven Browne also looked to have a hamstring twinge.

Adding to a disappointing day for the Blues, ex-Crow Darren Pfeiffer had his name taken by field umpire Chris Kamolins after he was reported for rough conduct on former teammate Graham Johncock.

The final nail in the coffin for Carlton was Adelaide booting back-to-back goals at the 18-minute mark of the final term, via Bernie Vince and Richard Douglas, who received an immediate free kick after Vince's major.

Douglas was awarded a free kick directly in front of goal, after Carlton defender Jarrad Waite punched the ball into crowd. Field umpire Ray Chamberlain awarded Douglas a kick, which put the Crows up by 31 points, ending any Blues' comeback.

Carlton stars Chris Judd and Brendan Fevola were well held for most of the match.

The Carlton captain had Adelaide run-with midfielder Robert Shirley shadow him for most of the day. Shirley finished with 21 touches to Judd's 15 but the champion midfielder did finish with two goals in the final term.

Fevola had Ben Rutten as his first opponent, before Nathan Bock later manned him. The Coleman Medallist has been in blistering form in the past three rounds, booting 22 goals, but was restricted to just one major.

Heath Scotland was Carlton's best ball winner with 25 disposals, while Kade Simpson, Nick Stevens and Marc Murphy all claimed 24 touches each. 

For Adelaide, Scott Thompson accumulated a game high 33 possessions, Tyson Edwards was next best with 29 disposals and high flying forward Brett Burton collected four goals from seven scoring shots.

The opening term was dominated by uncontested possessions, with both teams opting to chip the ball to opponents in the clear.

And aside from two excellent goals - a 40-metre soccer goal from Carlton crumber Eddie Betts, and a three-bounce run by Adelaide defender Nathan Bock - the quarter was a relatively lacklustre affair.

Carlton led by 16 points at the first change, but should have been further in front after doubling Adelaide shots on goal.

Carlton's inability to convert in the first term allowed Adelaide back in the contest.

By the 10-minute mark of the second quarter, the Crows had hit the front for the first time in the match on the back of three unanswered goals.

It took debutant Steven Browne, who soared high over the pack during the first quarter, to register the Blues' first for the term. And when Cameron Cloke threaded through a beauty off the ground, Carlton was up by 10 points at half time.

It was a see-sawing period early in the third quarter, before the visitors slipped away with four consecutive majors to jump out to a 23-point lead.

The win continues the Crows' recent dominance over the Blues. Adelaide have now won their past four encounters.

Adelaide 3.3, 6.7, 12.11, 16.15 (111)
Carlton 5.7, 7.11, 9.13, 11.15 (81)

GOALS
Carlton: Betts 2, Judd 2, Simpson, Stevens, Browne, Cloke, Fevola, Murphy, Fisher.
Adelaide: Burton 4, Douglas 3, Porplyzia 2, Tippett 2, Bock, Doughty, Goodwin, McLeod, Vince.

BEST
Carlton: Scotland, Stevens, Murphy, Bentick, Simpson, Carrazzo.
Adelaide: Thompson, Burton, Johncock, Goodwin, McLeod, Shirley, Edwards, Bock.

INJURIES
Carlton: Thornton (knee), Hartlett (hamstring)
Adelaide: Rutten (corked buttock)

CHANGES
Carlton: Hadley (groin) replaced in selected side by Bentick
Adelaide: Nil

REPORTS
Carlton: Darren Pfeiffer reported by umpire Kamolins for rough conduct on Graham Johncock

Umpires: Chamberlain, Kamolins, Wenn
Crowd: 41,033 at the MCG

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL of the clubs.