Adelaide have put a tumultuous week behind them to sew up the AFL minor premiership without banned ace Izak Rankine, posting a businesslike 13-point win over North Melbourne.

After losing Rankine to a four-match suspension over his homophobic slur, the Crows were never seriously troubled in the 17.11 (113) to 15.10 (100) victory at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

A ninth consecutive triumph confirmed Adelaide (18-5) will top the home-and-away ladder for the first time since they reached the grand final in 2017, with the best winning ratio in club history.

It came amid the furore surrounding Rankine’s homophobic taunt directed at a Collingwood opponent, which has threatened to derail the Crows’ flag bid.

They comfortably passed the initial on-field test, though far greater challenges lie ahead in September, including a likely encounter with the Magpies in a qualifying final.

Saturday’s mismatch loomed as a one-sided affair between sides ranked first and 16th, and Adelaide’s class ultimately shone through.

But North were competitive and refused to lie down, despite the Crows threatening to break the game open.

Adelaide, who led at every change, increased their advantage to a match-high 37 points with the first two goals of the final term.

North breathed life into the contest with four goals in six minutes, including one in controversial fashion when Adelaide’s Mark Keane failed to rush a behind and was caught by Cooper Trembath.

The ball spilled to Tom Powell, who poked home a goal that was awarded on review.

Adelaide steadied when North’s Finn O’Sullivan was penalised 50 metres for not obeying the stand rule on the wing, gifting James Peatling his third major.

Riley Thilthorpe and Ben Keays also finished with three goals, while the inexperienced Billy Dowling kicked two after being called up for his first game of the season.

Adelaide’s first-year midfielder Sid Draper had just five disposals and was subbed out at three-quarter time.

Rory Laird (23 disposals) was among the Crows’ major ball-winners on return from suspension, along with Sam Berry (24) and Jordan Dawson (23).

Adelaide’s eighth consecutive win over the Kangaroos came despite being smashed in clearances (48-27).

Luke Davies-Uniacke (31 disposals, 12 clearances), Luke Parker (27,10), Harry Sheezel (32, six) Tristan Xerri (25, seven) were all busy for North, while Paul Curtis kicked three goals.