It was only about a month ago that a 49-point defeat of Adelaide would pronounce the Western Bulldogs as being at the top of their game.

But so far have the Crows slipped that we can't really pass judgement on the Bulldogs until this time next week, after what will be a huge game against St Kilda at Etihad.

To be sure, there was plenty of encouraging signs for the Bulldogs. The 34 touches to Daniel Giansiracusa, the similar return by Brad Johnson and the five goals to Barry Hall were all welcome.

There was also the general command of Ryan Griffen who now has genuine claims to be considered among the top five midfielders in the competition.

Add three goals to Nathan Eagelton, the promise of Jordan Roughead (who might be going better than his cousin Jarryd at Hawthorn) and Jarrad Grant, and there really wasn't a whole lot for the Dogs to be concerned about.

But St Kilda next week will decide whether the Dogs are back to the form that had them installed as the premiership favourites before round one. It was after the NAB Cup grand final win over St Kilda that insiders at the Whitten Oval were telling anyone who'd listen that they had gone past the Saints.

Next week, we'll be the judge of that.

The Crows played some decent footy early on, but once the Bulldogs lifted their intensity and their midfield pressure, they crumbled, gifting the Dogs the few goals they needed to make certain of the win.

It is hard to believe that just six matches ago, Adelaide led Collingwood by six goals at half-time in a semi-final. Since then the run and the foot skills have disappeared and the defensive zone smashed.

Six marks and three goals to Kurt Tippett will please Neil Craig, for his reduced output to date was symptomatic of the sort of year the Crows are having. Young defender Phil Davis might be a player and Patrick Dangerfield continues to wear the no.32 with distinction.

But at 0-5, the finals are out of the question. The ferals might hold off bombarding 5AA and Michaelangelo Rucci this week because of the quality of the opposition just encountered, but the Showdown looms next and a loss to Port Adelaide would be the tipping point.

But there is some good news on the horizon after the Port clash. The Crows play Richmond.