Sloane knocked out as Crows down Dees

Adelaide have reclaimed top spot on the AFL ladder with a bruising 46-point win over Melbourne in Darwin.

The Crows led at every break and survived a late Demons comeback to post a 17.14 (116) to 10.10 (70) win at Tio Stadium on Saturday night.

Tom Lynch was outstanding in his return game, booting three goals and gathering 27 disposals just over a fortnight since being in intensive care with viral meningitis.

Star midfielder Rory Sloane was knocked out when his head slammed into the turf in a fair but heavy tackle from Melbourne's Dean Kent late in the third quarter.

A dazed and confused Sloane refused to be taken off on a stretcher and had to be instructed by skipper Taylor Walker to leave the field.

"He seemed alright," Crows coach Don Pyke said.

"Obviously, we'll have to test him during the week and see how he recovers."

Kent found himself in trouble shortly after the Sloane incident, suffering a dislocated shoulder when he landed awkwardly in a tackle.

Moments later, Demons defender Jayden Hunt unleashed a monster 65m torpedo on the three-quarter time siren to cut the margin to 22 points.

But Adelaide weren't to be denied, with Walker booting two of his four goals in an excellent final term.

"Clearly, they were a lot more efficient going forward," Demons coach Simon Goodwin said.

"They were very good around the footy and I thought they were more desperate than us in those areas."

The Crows led by 47 points early in the third term before the Dees threatened a comeback with a four-goal run.