Adelaide midfielder Scott Thompson underlined why he is in All-Australian contention on Saturday as he collected the second highest disposals in AFL history during the Crows 61-point demolition of Gold Coast.

Thompson had 51 (21 kicks, 30 handpasses) disposals, second only to Carlton great Greg Williams who compiled 53 in 1989 against St Kilda, as he helped guide Adelaide to a 18.17 (125) to 9.10 (64) win at Metricon Stadium.

The 28-year-old collected 18 disposals in the opening quarter followed by 10 (second term), 14 (third) and nine (fourth) .

The Suns appeared unable to shut Thompson down especially after quarter-time when he was such an influence on the Crows' nine goal opening term.

Suns' midfielder nugget Dion Prestia started on the 28-year-old, but that was the last known sighting of a direct opponent.

Even Suns' coach Guy McKenna was at a loss to name who was accountable when asked at the post-match press conference.

"Good question," McKenna said in jest.

"I haven't seen the tape yet but we had plans for someone to play on him, that's for sure.

"He was outstanding but after quarter-time, the boys rounded him up as best they could but it wasn't as damaging as the first quarter and (he was moving) the ball more sideways rather than punching forward."

Adelaide coach Mark Bickley said Thompson was having his best season for the Crows and should be given more credit for his work ethic.

He said Thompson not only gathers big numbers of disposals but he uses the ball wisely and was behind the nine goal opening term against the Suns.

"He's had the best year of his career," Bickley said.

"You'll find he's averaging among the top handful of players in the AFL and he must be in serious contention for All-Australian.

"You can have 51 possessions, and sometimes you can have a heap of junk ones chucked in there as well, but Scott uses it well and most of those possessions are quality and that's what makes him better for us."

Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs had a day out with 47 hit-outs as the Crows exposed the Suns' depleted ruck division.

It took the Suns midfield until the second quarter to realise they needed to pilfer the Crows hitouts and with Gary Ablett working overtime at the stoppages, the home side gained some scoreboard respect for a couple of quarters.

From staring at a seven goal deficit at quarter time, the Suns' trimmed the margin to 21 points at the last change, before the Crows piled on the hurt again.

Suns' forward Nathan Ablett, who was playing his first match since the 2007 grand final for Geelong, started solidly, having a hand in a goal and even applied tackles inside the Crows attacking half.

He only finished with 10 disposals and three marks but there was enough to encourage McKenna to select him for next week's clash with Melbourne at the MCG.

"The most impressive thing was - I don't know how many tackles he had in the game, but he had two in the back 50 and that was the most pleasing," McKenna said.

"His work rate defensively was even better than at reserves level."

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