MELBOURNE has fallen short of producing what would've been one of the more bizarre wins in recent AFL history after Adelaide held on for a 17-point win during Sunday's twilight clash at the MCG.

The Crows eventually ran out 7.9 (51) to 4.10 (34) winners.

Remarkably, all four Demons goals came in the second half, with its first major coming via Lynden Dunn two-and-a-half quarters in the game.  

But when Melbourne kicked three goals in six minutes midway through the final term, the Demons had closed the margin from more than six goals to 15 points, and it was game on.  

After skipper James McDonald capped off a hat-trick of Melbourne goals at the 15-minute mark, no further majors were added, and Adelaide was home.

For much of the match, it was a case of what records Melbourne could avoid.

Sunday evening was the first time Melbourne had gone goalless in a first half since round nine, 1997, when it posted 0.6 against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium. That was Neil Balme's last match as Melbourne coach before he was replaced by Greg Hutchison.

It was also the red and blue's lowest first half score since round one, 1991, when West Coast held the Demons to just one behind at Subiaco, back when John Northey was at the helm.

For Melbourne, Brock McLean with 29 disposals was his side's leading ball-winner, while Brent Moloney (29), Cale Morton (28) and Aaron Davey (27) were next-best. Dunn, with two goals, was Melbourne's only multiple goalkicker.

Adelaide skipper Simon Goodwin had a game-high 35 disposals, with Bernie Vince (33) next best. Defenders Nathan Bock, Ben Rutten and Graham Johncock shone, while youngster Kurt Tippett was impressive up forward.

The first quarter netted just two Adelaide goals, as Melbourne posted a solitary behind.  

Fifth-gamer Neville Jetta had the opportunity to post Melbourne's first just before the first break, yet his set-shot slewed off his boot, hitting the behind post on the full. As a result, the Crows entered the first break with a 15-point advantage.

It wasn't as if the Demons couldn't get the ball inside their attacking area – the Dees had nine inside 50s to 11. But Adelaide's rebound from half-back was telling. Nathan Bock led the way, with 13 of 23 Adelaide running bounces during this period. Melbourne had just one.

Although Adelaide added just two more goals in the second term, all Melbourne could muster was two behinds via Michael Newton and Brad Miller.

Despite Melbourne's inability to bother the scoreboard, remarkably, it entered the long change still within reach, trailing by 27 points.

Andrew McLeod opened the second half to extend Adelaide's lead to 32 points.

But when Dunn finally broke the drought, Melbourne found some verve to reinvigorate the contest.  

In fact, the Demons should have been closer than their 25-point three quarter-time deficit, with Newton and Matthew Bate squandering chances in red-time.

Tippett became the first multiple goalkicker when he opened the final term with a couple, giving the Crows a 37-point buffer – the biggest lead of the match.

And although Dunn kicked his second, McLean followed up and McDonald bobbed up soon after, Adelaide was able to deny Melbourne the most unlikely of victories.

The loss continued a poor record against the Crows, with the Dees winning just four from their past 15 against Adelaide this decade.

To cap off a curious game, it was Adelaide's lowest-ever score against Melbourne.

Adelaide       2.4    4.6    5.7    7.9 (51)
Melbourne    0.1    0.3    1.6    4.10 (34)

GOALS
Adelaide: Tippett 2, Johncock, McLeod, Porplyzia, Stevens, Walker
Melbourne: Dunn 2, McDonald, McLean

BEST
Adelaide: Goodwin, Vince, Thompson, Bock, Rutten, Johncock, Tippett
Melbourne: McLean, Davey, Moloney, Bruce, Dunn

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Hendrie, Armstrong, Schmitt

Official crowd: 14,129 at MCG

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.