Tireless midfielder Ryan Griffen inspired the Western Bulldogs to a 30-point AFL win over Adelaide on Friday.

Trailing by 22 points at quarter-time, the Bulldogs fought back brilliantly to win 14.16 (100) to 10.10 (70).

Daniel Giansiracusa kicked four goals and Justin Sherman contributed three majors for the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium as the home side snapped a four-game losing streak.

It was a night of celebrations for the Bulldogs who improved their record to 4-8 in halfback Robert Murphy's 200th game.

Kurt Tippett booted three goals for the Crows who capitulated in a sorry display after their bright start.

Adelaide kicked only four goals to the home side's 12 after quarter-time, increasing the pressure on Crows coach Neil Craig to hold his job for the rest of the season as Adelaide suffered their ninth loss from 12 games.

Tippett kicked two of Adelaide's six goals in the opening term.

Midfielders Griffen and Luke Dahlhaus kick-started the Bulldogs' comeback in the second quarter as the home side booted 4.5 and restricted the Crows to 1.3.

Small forward Giansiracusa kicked two goals in the second quarter for the Bulldogs who trailed by only two points at halftime.

The Bulldogs brought Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney on in the third quarter as a substitute player after missing four matches with a knee injury. Cooney finished with 11 disposals.

Griffen with 27 possessions and Murphy (26) led the home side to a four-goal effort in the third term including two more from Giansiracusa, while Adelaide could manage only 2.2.

The Bulldogs were 11 points ahead at three-quarter time and rammed home their advantage with a goal to Will Minson in the third minute of the final term.

Griffen burst clear at half-forward and chipped a pass to Easton Wood who gave the Bulldogs breathing space by scoring the home team's 12th goal at the 16-minute mark.

Dreadlocked 18-year-old Dahlhaus ran with the flight of the ball for a courageous mark and his first career goal and Griffen's second major sealed the result for the Bulldogs at the 25-minute mark.

Callan Ward had a equal-game high 29 touches for the Bulldogs in another fine effort.

Scott Thompson was one of Adelaide's better players with 29 possessions while Ricky Henderson, Andy Otten and Brad Symes were busy.

Rory Sloane began well but appeared to be hampered in the second half by a corked thigh.

The Bulldogs travel to the Gold Coast to play the Suns next Saturday while Adelaide face a daunting trip to Geelong to tackle the competition leaders on June 26.

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said he was pleased with the character of his side to fight back from a poor first quarter.

"One (winning) game from eight and then being four goals (22 points) down, they could easily have had the world cave in," Eade said.

"But they didn't, they stuck at it."

Eade expectS to regain veteran key forward Barry Hall next week and All-Australian defender Brian Lake is also a chance to return against the Suns.

Meanwhile Craig tried to remain upbeat, saying Adelaide's strong first-quarter performance showed the players had the ability to compete at AFL level.

"It was a really promising start. The second quarter was really poor," Craig said.

"Is it good enough? No it's not. But I liked what I saw in the first quarter."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP