Walker leads Adelaide to thrashing of St Kilda

Taylor Walker's brilliant five goal haul has propelled Adelaide to a 52-point trouncing of St Kilda which lifts the Crows into the AFL's top eight.

With their 19.7 (121) to 10.9 (69) victory on Sunday at Adelaide Oval, the Crows banked their highest score under fourth-year coach Matthew Nicks.

And the belting is by far the biggest loss in the second coming at the Saints of coach Ross Lyon.

Walker kicked 5.0 and took eight marks while Izak Rankine, Darcy Fogarty and Luke Pedlar had two goals each as Adelaide scored more than a century for the fourth time this season.

Halfbacks Wayne Milera (26 disposals) and Brodie Smith (32) were dominant and Crows midfielders Jordan Dawson (33 touches) and Jake Soligo (22, one goal) were stand-outs.

St Kilda's previous defeats this season were by six and seven points.

Adelaide, with their fifth win, replace Carlton in eighth spot.

The Crows cracked St Kilda early with a stylish 6.2 to 1.1 opening term - the highest scoring quarter against the Saints this year.

And when winger Chayce Jones converted a classy running goal just 45 seconds into the second quarter, the Crows were in command with a 37-point lead.

St Kilda responded to the crisis with four of the next six majors to sneak within 21 points, but that was the closest they came to the lead.

Adelaide held a 10.2 to 5.5 halftime advantage and skipped 42 points clear after further strikes from Rankine and Walker.

Midway through the third term Adelaide led 84-42, passing the previous highest score in an entire game against the Saints' tight defence this year.

And St Kilda's cause took another hit when forward Tim Membrey, on the ground after a marking contest, was landed on by teammate Jack Higgins and heavily concussed.

The home side piled on six of the next seven goals as they cruised to victory.

Former Crow Brad Crouch topped St Kilda's ball-winners with 30 disposals and Hunter Clark (24) and Jack Steele (23) also battled against the flow.

Saint Jack Higgins slotted three goals and Anthony Caminiti, on return from suspension, kicked two.