Adelaide scored its first goal within two minutes of the first bounce, before the Swans replied through Jarrad McVeigh.
The Crows controlled the first term for large parts, booting three unanswered goals before Barry Hall bobbed up for a late goal to stem the tide.
Adam Goodes and McVeigh were impressive through midfield, while Marty Mattner gave plenty of drive from half back.
Hall played a roving centre half-forward role, moving a long way up the ground in a repeat of his first quarter against the Western Bulldogs last week.
And versatile young tall Jesse White spent plenty of time in the ruck, giving him the chance to put his hand up for a berth in the round one side.
Second quarter
The Crows continued to dominate the game, adding the first three goals of the term to stretch out to a five-goal margin.
Hall slotted his second for the Swans to reduce the margin and the visitors could have easily been closer, had they converted some gettable opportunities.
Ted Richards helped out Marty Mattner in defence, but Adelaide’s midfield was on top for most of the term as the Crows established a 31-point break at half time.
Third quarter
Hall continued to be the Swans’ main target up forward and he added two goals for the quarter, taking his match tally to four.
Ryan O’Keefe also put his name on the scoresheet, while Ted Richards drifted forward from defence to add a goal
Rookie ruckman Mike Pyke came on for the substituted Darren Jolly in the third term, continuing his football education against Adelaide’s big men.
It was the Swans’ most productive quarter of a contest played in warm conditions, but it wasn’t enough to match the Crows, who piled on another five goals.
Kurt Tippett stepped up with two goals, while Trent Hentschel showed he was returning to his best after almost two years out of the game.
Adelaide led by 43 points heading into the final term and appeared set to record a comfortable win.
Final quarter
Unsatisfied with a lead in excess of seven goals, the Crows opened the final quarter with two more through Robert Shirley and exciting young key forward prospect Taylor Walker, who finished with three goals.
The game was out of the Swans’ reach by this stage, but they kept on battling and finished off with the last four goals of the game to cut the final margin to 38 points.
Ryan O’Keefe added his second of the game, while Ed Barlow, Patrick Veszpremi and White all contributed.
While the scoreboard didn’t go the Swans’ way, the squad emerged from the game without any injuries – a major positive just two weeks from the season opener against St Kilda at Docklands.
Adelaide 4.1 8.6 13.11 15.13 (103)
Sydney Swans 2.2 3.5 7.6 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Adelaide: Hentschel 3, Tippett 3, Walker 3, Vince 2, Petrenko, Shirley, Mackay, Goodwin.
Sydney Swans: Hall 4, O'Keefe 2, McVeigh, Richards, Veszpremi, White, Barlow.
BEST
Adelaide: Goodwin, Vince, Johncock, Tippett, Edwards, Otten, Petrenko, Walker.
Sydney Swans: Hall, McVeigh, Kirk, O'Keefe.
Injuries
Adelaide: Nil.
Sydney Swans: Nil.
Umpires: S Ryan H Ryan C Hendrie
Official crowd: 7626 at AAMI Stadium.
