Richmond have run away 44-point winners at Adelaide Oval against the Crows in Round 18.

The Tigers needed only to beat suddenly in-form bottom side Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday evening to secure a top-four berth for the fourth season in a row.

The Crows' defeat consigned them to the first wooden spoon in their history, although with the silver lining of this year's No.1 draft pick.

Richmond set up the 12.5 (77) to 4.9 (33) triumph with five consecutive goals overlapping the second and third quarters that finally broke Adelaide and rewarded the Tigers for their territory dominance.

The Crows managed only two goals after quarter-time to Richmond's nine, following a competitive opening.

As important as the Tigers clinching third spot was the further re-introduction of key members after long stints out of the side. 

Premiership players Shane Edwards (personal) and David Astbury (knee) hadn't been in this side since rounds five and four, respectively, but both made successful returns on Saturday.

Edwards was particularly sharp and one of the best players afield, amassing an equal-game-high eight clearances and 12 contested possessions

Bullocking ruckman Reilly O'Brien served Adelaide well and took the honours in his match-up with Toby Nankervis, while the Crouch brothers – particularly Brad (eight clearances) – toiled away in the centre.

ADELAIDE       2.2       2.4       3.5       4.9 (33)
RICHMOND     3.0       5.0       9.5       12.5 (77) 

GOALS
Adelaide: Fogarty 2, McAdam, Walker
Richmond: Aarts 2, Caddy 2, Riewoldt 2, Martin, McIntosh, Chol, Rioli, Lambert, Castagna 

BEST
Adelaide: O'Brien, B.Crouch, M.Crouch, Lynch, Laird, Smith
Richmond: Edwards, Martin, Short, Graham, Lambert, Vlastuin 

INJURIES
Adelaide: Brown (hamstring)
Richmond: Caddy (knee), Aarts (shoulder)