Adelaide's AFL premiership credentials took a major hammering as Fremantle cruised to an upset 56-point win at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

Upgraded Dockers rookie Michael Barlow was the star of the show as the home side booted seven goals to two in the second term to set up the 17.16 (118) to 9.8 (62) win in front of 30,976 fans.

And Adelaide's loss was compounded by a left ankle injury to 20-year-old Rory Sloane, who limped off in the second quarter, while Taylor Walker had to be helped off the field in the dying seconds after copping a heavy knock to the head.

Fremantle kicked just one goal in their humiliating 117-point loss to Adelaide in round 15 last season but the Dockers showed they will be a far different unit in 2010.

Their talented host of youngsters, led by Barlow, Anthony Morabito, Stephen Hill, Nick Suban and Hayden Ballantyne, performed strongly as the Crows struggled to cope with Fremantle's intense attack on the ball.

Barlow, whose standout performances in the VFL last year saw him snared by Fremantle with pick No.8 in last year's rookie draft, finished the match with 33 quality possessions and two goals in a best afield display.

Aaron Sandilands (33 hit-outs) dominated the ruck while Matthew Pavlich (three goals), Des Headland (three goals), Chris Mayne (two goals) shared the workload up forward.

Taylor Walker booted four goals for the Crows in a promising display but the visitors lacked any fluency further up the field despite the best efforts of Scott Thompson (23 possessions, two goals), and Andrew McLeod.

Adelaide entered the match without Jason Porplyzia and Chris Knights, who combined for 100 goals last season, and the Crows struggled for fluency in attack from the outset.

The first 20 minutes featured atrocious dry-weather football as players from both sides continually fumbled the ball in an error-riddled display.

Chris Mayne butchered a shot on goal from just 20m out directly in front in just one example of the standard on show.

The Dockers held a two-point lead after a low-scoring opening term and Barlow stole the show in the second quarter as the Dockers piled on seven goals to two to take a commanding 36-point lead into half-time.

The 22-year-old was everywhere as he tallied 13 disposals and a goal for the term, with skipper Pavlich also influential after injecting himself into the midfield as Fremantle's on-ballers made the most of Sandilands' dominance.

The Crows trailed by 42 points late in the second term but booted six of the next eight goals to close the gap to 17 points as Walker and Thompson shot to life.

But a 60m goal to Dockers debutant Morabito helped stem the flow, with Fremantle piling on five unanswered goals in the final quarter to run away with the win.

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