ADELAIDE has won for the seventh time in its last eight matches, surviving a final-quarter blitz from St Kilda to run out four-point winners at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.
Scott Thompson was a standout performer with 39 possessions for the Crows, who won 17.13 (115) to 16.15 (111) for their ninth victory of the season.
The Saints, who beat the Crows by 103 points in the previous meeting between the sides in round 18 last year, have now alternated wins and losses in their last five games and fall to 6-6 for the season.
St Kilda came into the match after its sixth six-day break of the season, while the Crows had 13 days off after beating Fremantle in round 10.
The Saints defied their fatigue to edge to within 10 points inside the final three minutes after back-to-back goals from Steven Milne, but the Crows hung on to improve their record to 9-2 for the season.
Leigh Montagna kicked a goal after the siren for the final margin.
Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson was rapt with the victory, but said his players needed to address their inconsistency.
"Our good was very good, our bad was very bad," he said.
"We're sitting 9-2, on top of the ladder, but what it does highlight is there is some work to do."
Kurt Tippett, who kicked a season-best five goals, and dangerous teammate Jason Porplyzia (three goals) were the chief benefactors from an inspired ruck performance by Sam Jacobs.
The Adelaide big man expertly fed a hungry bunch of midfielders headed by the influential Thompson and destructive Patrick Dangerfield.
The Saints, in contrast, had few clear winners apart from the classy Nick Dal Santo, whose tireless midfield display was capped by two goals.
St Kilda coach Scott Watters said his side had chances to win.
"There is no satisfaction in a four-point loss," he said.
Adelaide made its decisive move from the mid-point of the third quarter, booting four of the final five goals of the term to ease away to a 31-point lead at three-quarter time.
Earlier, the home side took a 16-point lead into half time after a free-wheeling second term that featured 11 goals.
Porplyzia's three goals in the first 10 minutes of the quarter saw the Crows race away to a 30-point lead, but St Kilda responded with three quick goals of their own, Arryn Siposs' long-range effort the pick of the trio.
Tippett's powerhouse opening quarter pushed Adelaide to a 14-point lead at the opening change, with the Crows spearhead taking a spectacular high mark midway through the term and booting three goals.
St Kilda made a late change ahead of the match, with Ahmed Saad being replaced in the Saints' side by Jarryn Geary, who started as the substitute.
ADELAIDE 5.3 11.6 16.7 17.13 (115)
ST KILDA 3.1 8.8 10.12 16.15 (111)
GOALS
Adelaide: Tippett 5, Porplyzia 3, Walker 2, Callinan 2, Wright 2, Mackay, Jacobs, Thompson
St Kilda: Milne 3, Schneider 2, Dal Santo 2, Montagna 2, Riewoldt 2, Siposs 2, Goddard, Steven, Armitage
BEST
Adelaide: Tippett, Thompson, Jacobs, Dangerfield, Porplyzia, Callinan
St Kilda: Dal Santo, Montagna, Schneider, Hayes, Steven, Jones
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
St Kilda: Ahmed Saad replaced in selected side by Jarryn Geary
SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Chris Knights replaced Josh Jenkins in the third quarter
St Kilda: Jarryn Geary replaced Jason Blake in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Jeffery, McInerney
Official crowd: 36,394 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
