Brett Burton has kicked seven goals to help Adelaide retain its mantle as AFL ladder leaders with a 36-point victory over Hawthorn.

The Crows won 16.13 (109) to Hawthorn's 11.7 (73) at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

The fixture was billed a mismatch, with 14th placed Hawthorn given scant chance of upsetting the AFL front runners on their home turf.

But the Hawks showed great desperation and will rue a costly third quarter lapse which extinguished their winning hopes.

The visitors hit the front in the 18th minute of the third term but then Adelaide kicked four goals in eight minutes to steal the momentum and set course for victory.

The Crows then delivered five unanswered goals to begin the last quarter and seal the club's 13th triumph from 15 starts this season.

Burton was the standout, his performance doing much to lift the standard of a dour affair played in windy conditions which contributed to skill errors from both sides.

Burton's heroics, and those of Scott Thompson (three goals) and dashing defenders Andrew McLeod and Graham Johncock, were critical to the Crows overcoming the unheralded Hawks.

Hawthorn, with onballer Rick Ladson (two goals) and forward Lance Franklin (three goals) prominent, was ferocious in its tackling and pressure of the league leaders, causing some uncharacteristic lapses from the Crows.

But Burton and the prolific possession winner Simon Goodwin, who amassed 38 touches, including 22 touches in the opening half, did enough to ensure the home side led at the major break, 5.6 to 4.5.

When Burton added another goal in the second minute of the last half, Adelaide had extended its lead to 13-points and appeared set to assume control of the contest.

But in a change of momentum, the Hawks rallied with the next three goals - two to the productive Ladson - to steal a two-point advantage.

Falling behind seemingly triggered the Crows into higher gear, the hosts kicking four goals in eight minutes to lead by 21-points, a margin reduced to 15 with a set shot goal to impressive Hawk Lance Franklin after the three quarter time siren.

But then Adelaide booted five goals in a row in the last stanza to confirm its win.

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