Adelaide overwhelmed Carlton in the second half to win their AFL match by 30 points on Saturday at the MCG.

Blues fans were furious with a controversial umpiring decision in the last term but Adelaide were too strong and won comfortably 16.15 (111) to 11.15 (81).

Adelaide midfielder Tyson Edwards was instrumental in the second-half surge and was best afield, while Brett Burton kicked four goals.

The Crows led by 19 points in the last quarter when Bernie Vince won a free kick and goalled from 50m.

As the ball went through, Blues defender Jarrad Waite punched the ball into the crowd.

Field umpire Ray Chamberlain then paid the free against Waite for the gesture and that gave Richard Douglas an easy kick for goal.

As Blues fans erupted, Douglas put the Crows 31 points ahead and the game was over.

Adelaide shut down key Carlton players Chris Judd and Brendan Fevola - Robert Shirley's tagging role on Judd was outstanding and the Crows defence double and even triple-teamed Fevola to restrict him to 1.3.

Trailing by 10 points at half-time, Adelaide bounced back hard in the third term with six goals and led by 23 points.

But the Blues kicked the last goal of the quarter for a 16-point margin at the final change.

Carlton earlier kicked the first two goals of the game and led by 16 points at quarter-time.

But they lost key defender Bret Thornton in the first term and then tall forward Adam Hartlett in the second quarter with leg injuries.

Adelaide full-back Ben Rutten also went off late in the second term, apparently with a lower-back injury.

The Crows hit the front early in the second term, but generally through the first half they were not fluent in their ball use.

They then dominated the midfield in the third term and Carlton never looked like being able to mount a fightback.

The Blues made a late change, bringing in Adam Bentick for Richard Hadley, who was ruled out with a groin injury.

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