First quarter: Adelaide Crows 5.2 (32) to Melbourne 2.3 (15)
Adelaide controlled much of the first term, particularly early on, when it landed four goals in the first 14 minutes.
Richard Douglas, who had two goals by quarter-time, opened proceedings, before Jesse Hogan landed Melbourne’s first.
But the Crows upped the ante with four of the remaining five goals by the first break.
At quarter-time, the visitors led by 17 points.
Jeff Garlett was Melbourne’s only other goalkicker for the term.
Second quarter: Melbourne 10.4 (64) to Adelaide Crows 8.5 (53)
After trailing by 18 points during the opening term, Melbourne hit back strongly with an outstanding second quarter.
The red and blue booted eight goals to three, including six of the first seven goals to lead by 11 points at half-time.
Garlett booted two to have three by half-time, while Hogan managed his second and Jack Watts kicked a couple for the quarter.
Melbourne hit the front for the first time when Ben Kennedy kicked truly, courtesy of some great dash and ball-winning ability by Jayden Hunt further up the field.
Hunt later registered his first AFL goal, again with some impressive run-and-carry, while Dean Kent put the red and blue back in front late in the term.
Third quarter: Adelaide Crows 15.8 (98) to Melbourne 14.5 (89)
Adelaide started the third term in emphatic style, booting four in six minutes to claim a 13-point lead.
But when Hogan ended the streak and opened Melbourne’s second half with his third goal, the home side got back on track.
From Hogan’s goal at the eight-minute mark to time-on, Melbourne booted four goals to two.
Nathan Jones kicked his first, Garlett booted his fourth and Watts secured his third to cut the margin back to three points at the 26-minute mark.
But when Josh Jenkins kicked his second four minutes later, the Crows took a nine-point lead into three quarter-time.
Final quarter: Adelaide Crows 18.12 (120) d Melbourne 15.8 (98)
With the game in the balance, four behinds were registered to start the final term.
It wasn’t until the 11-minute mark when the first goal was posted, courtesy of Crow Charlie Cameron, who kicked his second.
Although Melbourne was still within reach, when Jarryd Lyons – the son of former Demon Marty – made it two in a row for the Crows, they were all but home.
Melbourne’s only goal for the term came via James Harmes at the 22-minute mark.
And when Mitch McGovern kicked the last goal of the game, the Crows won by 22 points.