The AFL ladder is starting to take shape after three rounds with Adelaide sitting on top of the pile as one of three remaining unbeaten sides.

The Crows knocked cross-town rivals Port Adelaide off the top rung with a 17-point win in a pulsating top-of-the-table clash at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

Adelaide were one of eight unbeaten teams entering round three but second-placed Richmond and Geelong in third were the only other sides able to maintain a perfect record.

The Tigers inflicted West Coast’s first loss of the season, Dustin Martin starring with 40 possessions and two goals in an 11-point win at the MCG.

The ultra-accurate Cats had kicked 16 goals in a row at one stage as they handed wasteful Melbourne their first defeat – a 20.6 (126) to 13.19 (97) result at Etihad Stadium.

The Demons were the superior team for large portions of Saturday’s clash, but paid the price for horrendous goal kicking.

“I think our position is one of realism at the moment,” said Geelong coach Chris Scott, noting the Demons’ high profile absentees and big injury concern.

“It was fortunate for us that (Jesse) Hogan and (Jordan) Lewis missed (through suspension) and then (Max) Gawn was out so we’re clear that it’s not our brilliance that has necessarily got us into this position.

“There’s been a fair bit of good fortune as well.

“I think it’s the height of arrogance to say ‘We’re going well, we’re 3-0’ … especially when they outplayed us for big parts of the game.”

Gawn will consult a surgeon on Monday to determine if he needs an operation on the hamstring injury he suffered in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs lost their unbeaten status when Fremantle stunned the reigning premiers 13.11 (89) to 10.13 (73) at Subiaco.

Essendon were the last undefeated side to fall, Carlton notching their first win of the season 7.15 (57) to 6.6 (42) in a rain-swept encounter at the MCG on Sunday.

St Kilda and Collingwood also recorded their first wins of the season, defeating Brisbane and Sydney respectively.

The Swans slumped to an 0-3 start with the loss, joining North Melbourne who were thumped by Greater Western Sydney 15.19 (109) to 10.7 (67) in Hobart.