The Crows rebounded from a heartbreaking loss to Essendon last round to notch their second win of the season at Hobart's Blundstone Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The 20.18 (138) to 12.9 (81) result came at a cost for Adelaide, with young midfielder Luke Pedlar suffering a shoulder injury in the first quarter.
Rankine added to his highlight reel with four goals for the match, including two back-to-back in the third quarter from tight set-shot angles.
He also picked up 17 possessions and one goal assist in an eye-catching showing.
The Kangaroos remain anchored to the foot of the ladder after seven games, while the Crows are 2-5 ahead of Thursday's Showdown at Adelaide Oval.
Walker picked up two goals and was unselfish throughout, offering shots to team mates in better positions and ending up with three assists.
Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson led from the front in the first half and finished with 27 touches, while Rory Laird had a game-high 34 touches and 13 clearances.
North Melbourne's Colby McKercher was busy in a losing side with 32 possessions, while Cameron Zurhaar booted three goals.
Adelaide smothered the Kangaroos with defensive pressure early and had a 20-point lead at quarter time with Rankine picking up a brace of goals.
North Melbourne fought hard to keep the damage at a minimum in the second quarter before an easy turnover inside their defensive 50 gifted rookie Brayden Cook a goal.
Adelaide then put on three goals in a row, with the margin 75-40 at the main break.
The Kangaroos managed just one goal to five in the third term but won the final quarter 32-30 on the back of four goals in a row.
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