Melbourne has beaten a spirited Adelaide side by 41 points at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

The Crows fought hard and got within a kick in the third term before going down 16.8 (104) to 9.9 (63).

It looked like an upset was on the cards when the Crows booted four of the first five goals of the third term to close within three points.

But the experienced heads of Max Gawn, Christian Petracca and Christian Salem lifted when required to ensure the margin was a relatively safe 23 points at the final break.

Bailey Fritsch booted four goals in the final term to make it seven in total for the match as the Demons banked the four points.

Running defender Paul Seedsman brought his own footy in the opening half and finished with a career high 36 disposals for the Crows.

Veteran forward Tom Lynch (29) and midfielders Ben Keays (29), Rory Laird (28) and Rory Sloane (25) also won plenty of the ball.

MELBOURNE    3.3    7.4    12.7  16.8 (104)
ADELAIDE        1.6    3.7     8.8   9.9   (63)

GOALS
Melbourne: Fritsch 7, Brown 2, Petracca 2, Jackson 2, Melksham, Pickett, Spargo.
Adelaide: Fogarty 3, McAdam 2, Lynch, McKay, Murphy, Seedsman.

BEST    
Melbourne: Fritsch, Gawn, Petracca, Langdon, Salem, Bowey
Adelaide:  Seedsman, Keays, Sloane, Fogarty, Lynch, Sholl

INJURIES    
Melbourne: May (general soreness) replaced by Smith
Adelaide: Himmelberg (hamstring)         

SUBSTITUTES    
Melbourne: vandenBerg (unused)    
Adelaide: Sholl (replaced Himmelberg)