Adelaide confirmed its status as the best travelling team in the AFL after cruising into the top four with a wet weather demolition of Carlton.

The Crows were singing in the rain after Andrew McLeod inspired the 13.14 (92) to 7.8 (50) victory at Optus Oval.

The Kangaroos' nine-point loss to West Coast saw them drop to seventh as the six non-Victorian teams moved back into the top six spots on the ladder after the mid-season break.

Port Adelaide stayed top with 40 points, half a game ahead of the Eagles and Brisbane, but the big mover was Adelaide.

The Crows snared their breakthrough 1997 and 1998 premierships on the back of their ability to win finals away from the comfortable confines of AAMI Stadium.

No-one is suggesting that the Carlton of 2003 is a major scalp, but a sodden Optus Oval increased the likelihood of an upset.

That such a result never looked like happening was thanks to McLeod, with significant help from Brett Burton, five-goal forward Graham Johncock and a solid effort from Wayne Carey.

"We played pretty smart football today in the conditions and pleasing footy right across the board," said Adelaide coach Garry Ayres.

The wet weather affected all three games today, none more so than at Subiaco where the AFL contemplated delaying the start of the West Coast-Kangaroos clash.

The game eventually started on time and the Eagles were able to hold off a Kangaroos outfit coached by former West Coast favourite Dean Laidley.

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