Emerging forward Taylor Walker kicked four goals as a fast-finishing Adelaide overwhelmed Hawthorn by 20 points in their AFL season-opener on Saturday night.

The Crows, courtesy of a second half comeback, prevailed 16.9 (105) to 12.13 (85) at AAMI Stadium.

Walker kicked all his goals in the second half as the Crows stormed over the Hawks with 12 goals to Hawthorn's five after the main break.

Hawthorn midfielder Shaun Burgoyne was prominent with three goals while Lance Franklin, fellow tall forward Jarryd Roughead and Clinton Young each booted two majors.

Adelaide small forward Jason Porplyzia kicked the game's opening goal within three minutes, but dislocated his right shoulder two minutes later.

The injury to Porplyzia, who has a history of shoulder problems, forced Adelaide to use substitute Brodie Smith inside the initial 10 minutes of the game.

And it marked the start of a stunning Hawthorn sequence of six consecutive goals, with smooth moving Burgoyne kicking three and Cyril Rioli at his creative best.

The burst laid the platform for Hawthorn's 19-point halftime lead, 7.6 to 4.5.

But Adelaide reduced that margin with a momentum changing response in the third quarter.

Sparked by Walker, who kicked three goals for the term, the Crows kicked seven goals to Hawthorn's three and stormed back into the game.

Dangerfield's second for the quarter came on the siren, giving the Crows a three-point buffer.

And the home side retained their momentum in the final term, despite a challenge from the Hawks who snuck within two points at the 13-minute mark.

The Crows kicked the final three goals of the game, with Walker appropriately kicking the last and match sealing major.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig praised the comeback victory of "probably the youngest team that has represented this footy club".

"Our capacity to put more pressure back on them and test their defence with a bit more aggressive ball movement improved," he said of the second half fightback.

Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson said basic skill errors cost his side.

"When we had opportunities, we just couldn't punish them," he said.

"We had to work a lot harder for our goals but we ended up with same number of scoring shots but they kicked 16.9 and we kicked 12.13 and therein lies the result of the game really."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP