Fremantle have entrenched their spot in the AFL’s top four with a slogging seven-point away victory against Adelaide.

The Dockers prevailed 10.6 (66) to 8.11 (59) at a sodden AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

Forward Nick Suban (two goals) was the only multiple goal-scorer for Fremantle, who were well served by Hayden Ballantyne and defender Michael Johnson.

Dockers midfielders Michael Barlow (32 disposals), Stephen Hill (23 possessions) and Nat Fyfe (23 touches) were influential in a match played in rain and tricky winds.

The Dockers led by eight points at three quarter-time but Adelaide took the lead in the last when Patrick Dangerfield kicked his third goal.

But Fremantle responded with rapid goals to Barlow and substitute Cameron Sutcliffe to bank a fighting win – their seventh of the season.

Dangerfield kept the Crows in the game while Rory Sloane (30 disposals) and defender Rory Laird revelled in the wet conditions.

Two shoves from Dangerfield gave Adelaide a 3.5 (23) to 2.1 (13) advantage at quarter-time.

Stationed at full forward, Dangerfield pushed his tagger Ryan Crowley under approaching balls twice in 90 seconds, doubled back, and ran into the open goal to score.

But the Dockers countered in the second term, kicking four goals to one to take an 11-point halftime lead, 6.4 to 4.5.

Fremantle’s midfield, headed by Barlow and Fyfe, gained ascendancy over the Crows in a game watched by 27,685 spectators.

Their control was capitalised on by the likes of Ballantyne, who was among four goal-kickers for the term for the visitors.

Adelaide rallied in the third but ultimately could reduce their halftime deficit to eight points at the last change, with both teams scoring two goals for the quarter.

Goals to Richard Douglas and Dangerfield gave the Crows the lead a three-point lead some 15 minutes into the final term.

But Fremantle answered with two goals in a minute to pip Adelaide, who now have a five-five win-loss record.

The Crows host reigning premiers Sydney next Saturday while Fremantle have a bye.