Adelaide squared their AFL season with a 40-point victory against St Kilda in Sunday’s twilight match.
The Crows floored the Saints with a third term burst which set up a 12.15 (87) to 6.11 (47) triumph at AAMI Stadium.
Adelaide now have a four-four win-loss record and St Kilda’s struggles continue with their sixth loss of the season.
Crows forwards Josh Jenkins and Tom Lynch both kicked two goals, while Saints Stephen Milne and Ahmed Saad also booted two in a defensive battle which Adelaide broke open with five goals to two in the third term.
Adelaide midfielders Rory Sloane, Richard Douglas and Scott Thompson were influential while defensive duo Daniel Talia and Ben Rutten kept St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt (one goal) in check.
The Saints, who cruelled their chances with errant kicking at goal, were well served by floating backman Dylan Roberton and industrious on-ballers Leigh Montagna and Nick Dal Santo.
But the visitors sprayed a series of set shots at goal and were made to pay by a more efficient Adelaide, who led 4.8 to 3.5 after a dour opening half.
Milne potted his two majors in the first half to keep the Saints within reach, before the Crows seized control in the third term.
Adelaide booted 5.5 to 2.2 in the quarter and their goal kickers included defender Talia, who slotted a 50m set shot for just his third goal in 40 AFL games.
Talia’s strike came in a 15-minute scoring spree by the Crows which ended when skipper Nathan van Berlo converted after the three quarter time siren to give his side a 29-point break.
Substitute Jason Porplyzia kicked the Crows further ahead early in the last before Jenkins and Lynch iced the win with their second goals respectively.
The Crows travel to play North Melbourne next Sunday while the Saints host the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.