The Crows, inspired by captain Mark Ricciuto and brilliant midfielder Andrew McLeod, thrashed an undermanned Eagles 17.16 (118) to 4.6 (30) at AAMI Stadium Adelaide's senior core was prominent throughout the lopsided encounter in which the Eagles opted to rest about 10 established performers.

Adelaide's football-besotted public had spent the past week questioning whether the Crows had lost 'it' following consecutive defeats on the pre-season trail.

The criticism stung established stars such as McLeod, Ricciuto, Simon Goodwin and Ben Hart, who evidenced why they are rated among the upper echelon of AFL players.

The Crows were able to toy with an inexperienced opponent which showed little zest for the battle, the visitors notching just one scoring shot in the opening half - a goal to Mark Seaby.

The Westerners' other goals were kicked by Paul Johnson (two) and Brent Staker (one) in a match coach John Worsforld would have been glad wasn't seen by many passionate Eagles fans.

West Coast were simply smashed in the midfield, where McLeod combined with fellow veterans Ricciuto and Goodwin (three goals) to frequently advance the Crows.

Much of their good work was capitalised on by Wayne Carey, who booted three goals before being spelled from early in the last quarter.

The only concern for the Crows was promising wingman Brent Reilly, who was dominant in proceedings until suffering a shoulder injury in the second quarter and watching the remainder of the match with his right arm in a sling.

The Adelaide youngster last year broke a collarbone but Crows officials were initially hopeful the latest injury wasn't serious.

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