It was a tale of two halves, but Fremantle ultimately claimed a nail-biting two-point victory against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

The Dockers dominated the opening two quarters, before the Crows exploded after half-time, but Freo steadied late with a dramatic smother in the dying seconds from skipper Alex Pearce ensuring the 11.12 (78) to 11.10 (76) win.

After being 34 points up in the third term, the Dockers were given an almighty scare, with Adelaide stealing a 10-point lead midway through the final quarter.

But late strikes from Dockers livewire Shai Bolton and a stunning dribbled goal from Josh Treacy lifted Freo to victory - though Adelaide's James Borlase, in the last minute, hit the post with a kick that would have pinched a win.

Adelaide defenders Wayne Milera (27 possessions) and Josh Worrell (23) were superb and on-baller James Peatling gathered 25 touches, seven clearances and a goal.

Captain Jordan Dawson was the only multiple goal kicker for the Crows.

Two Crows - forward Darcy Fogarty (back) and winger Isaac Cumming (illness) - were late withdrawals, replaced by Finnbar Maley and Chayce Jones.

Maley kicked the first goal of the game with a checkside effort from the boundary but the Dockers soon gained the ascendancy.

The visitors controlled the first quarter but couldn't quite cash in on the scoreboard, kicking 4.3 to 3.3.

Fremantle held a 25-point advantage at half-time when Adelaide had 14 players with five or less disposals, and jumped 34 points clear - a match-high margin - when Amiss slotted his fourth major 10 minutes into the third quarter.

But the Crows rallied in dramatic fashion with five consecutive majors to no score. When Peatling goaled on the run, they were only four points down.

Fremantle held a slight buffer at three-quarter time, 9.9 to 9.5, before Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker put the hosts in front with a set shot.

Skipper Dawson soon followed with an accurate snap and the Crows were seven points ahead.

But they couldn't close the deal.

Bolton restored the visitors' lead, before Treacy threaded a dribbling goal from a tight angle.

Adelaide's Ben Keays, Maley and Borlase had last-gasp shots at goal - but all missed.

SCOREBOARD

ADELAIDE      3.3    4.5    9.5    11.10 (76)
FREMANTLE   4.3    8.6    9.9    11.12 (78)

GOALS
Adelaide: Dawson 2, Berry, Cook, Maley, Neal-Bullen, Peatling, Rachele, Taylor, Thilthorpe, Walker.
Fremantle: Amiss 4, Treacy 2, Voss 2, Bolton, Brayshaw, Dudley.

BEST
Adelaide: Peatling, McAndrew, Dawson, Rachele, Milera.
Fremantle: Serong, Amiss, Brayshaw, Treacy, McVee.