Adelaide cruised to a 41-point AFL victory over Essendon at AAMI Stadium but at a cost as star forward Wayne Carey was stretchered off bleeding from a knee.

Carey's injury cast a shadow on what was an impressive 13.12 (90) to 7.7 (49) win by Adelaide, who dominated every facet of the game in wet and windy conditions.

Carey left the field 12 minutes into the third quarter after he smashed into a behind post as a result of a sliding effort to keep a ball in play in the forward pocket.

The Crows said he had suffered a gashed kneecap, but had escaped any structural damage.

Adelaide had a 40-point lead when Carey left the field, after leading by 18 points at quarter time, and 33 points at half-time.

As well as the damage Essendon suffered to its finals chances by falling to a 7-8 record, two of its stars would have to face the tribunal.

Forward Damien Cupido was reported in the first term for allegedly kneeing opponent Tyson Edwards, while defender Dustin Fletcher was reported after he appeared to elbow Brett Burton late in the final quarter.

Crows forward Scott Welsh was the star of the night, making a mockery of the conditions to kick six goals for the match, including three in a stunning second quarter.

Adelaide's control of the match was set up by skipper Mark Ricciuto, whose bullocking work in the midfield ideally suited the conditions as he gathered 27 possessions.

Ricciuto capped his match with a goal early in the last quarter to push the Crows back out to a 31-point lead after Essendon had kicked the last three goals of the third quarter to pull back to within 28 points.

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