Embarrassed Adelaide coach Don Pyke has apologised to Crows fans after a 57-point capitulation to arch AFL foes Port Adelaide.

Pyke accused his players of laziness in Port’s 15.11 (101) to 5.14 (44) victory on Saturday at Adelaide Oval – the Crows’ lowest total against Port and second-heaviest defeat to their bitter rivals.

Adelaide hit the front through a classy Taylor Walker snap within 15 seconds of the third term, but it turned out their last goal of the game.

Port, inspired by Robbie Gray’s dazzling 35 disposals, Tom Rockliff (36 touches) and three-goal forward Brad Ebert, booted nine majors in a row.

Gray won a record fifth medal for best-afield in a South Australian showdown.

Pyke said it was Adelaide’s worst half of footy in his four-year coaching tenure.

“We were embarrassed,” he said.

“We were outplayed by a side that worked harder than us.

“And I want to apologise to our members and fans that turned up to watch because it was nowhere near good enough from all of us.”

The Crows didn’t score for near-on 50 minutes, with just a dozen inside 50s in a horror last half.

“It’s unusual, we haven’t certainly experienced that in my time at the club,” Pyke said.

“It’s probably as bad a half as we have played.

“I just don’t think we rolled up our sleeves and prepared to do the work we needed to do … we were just miles off.”

Adelaide’s first half was blighted by wayward goalkicking – 4.11 at halftime.

Port’s triple club champion Gray then masterminded a third-term blitz of five unanswered goals in 11 minutes.

Gray had 10 touches and four clearances for the quarter to ensure Port replace Adelaide in seventh spot on the AFL ladder.

“He’s a great player – been a great player for a long time,” Port coach Ken Hinkley said of Gray.

“But he’s one part of the team, you have got to remember that … the team performance was really even across the board.”

Hinkley’s win is another for the season’s big scalp collection – West Coast in Perth, Geelong and now the Crows at home.

But the triumphs have been interspersed by lacklustre losses, such as last week to the lowly Western Bulldogs.

“I know the team is capable,” Hinkley said.

“We have just got to continually do that, and that is what happens when you become a continually good team.

“We’re learning to become a good team. Be patient, we’ll get there.”