The result bookended the Crows' history at the venue with victories, after they defeated a highly rated Hawthorn unit in round one, 1991 by 86 points.
Five talking points: Adelaide v Melbourne
Johnston was the pick of the forwards, while midfielder Scott Thompson was back to his best with 33 disposals, seven tackles and a goal.
Retiring Crows champion Graham Johncock received a standing ovation during his lap of honour before the game, but it was Melbourne that looked motivated early.
It took nine minutes for the game's first goal when Demon Jeremy Howe snapped truly and teammate Jack Watts added the side's second just before the first break.
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David Rodan's day ended early with an ankle injury and the veteran appeared in immense pain as he was carried off in the arms of the trainers.
Goals were hard to come by in an uninspiring first quarter as both sides struggled to maintain possession.
The Crows looked to two unlikely targets in defender Daniel Talia and ruckman Sam Jacobs to boot the first two majors of the second quarter and drag themselves back in the contest.
Jacobs' set shot from 55m put the home side in front.
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Patrick Dangerfield made it five in a row when he converted from a Melbourne interchange infringement.
Thompson was in devastating touch with 22 first-half disposals at 91 per cent efficiency.
Melbourne's fight returned late in the half as it pegged two goals back but an undisciplined act by Lynden Dunn gifted Andy Otten the first goal of the second half.
Demons coach Neil Craig was annoyed with the way his club gave away cheap free kicks and 50-metre penalties.
"My biggest frustration today was our lack of discipline," Craig said.
"I think it was minus 11 or 13 free kicks which hurts us immensely. I think there [was] one 50m and two plays off the ball [that gifted] simple goals.
"We were in the game at quarter time, I thought we were in the game at half time…two quick goals at the start of the last quarter gave us a sniff – we are a long way from being a hard nosed footy club."
Jacobs was giving his midfielders first use from almost every stoppage and goals to Mitch Grigg and Ian Callinan pushed Adelaide's lead back beyond 30 points.
A frustrating, clanger-filled third term culminated with Melbourne defender Tom McDonald hitting the ball out of Johnston's hands after the Crow marked 25m out.
The former Swan was awarded the 50m penalty and banged it through without anyone on the mark.
The crowd's attention turned to Mexican waves in the final term as Johnston converted his fourth major before another Melbourne 50m penalty put handed him his fifth.
His sixth goal, a checkside from 30 metres, was Adelaide's last at AAMI Stadium.
Crows coach Brenton Sanderson said the win was a fitting end to the club's AAMI Stadium affiliation.
"We really built it up internally with the playing group that this was an important game for our club and our fans." Sanderson said.
"We had a lot of past players in the rooms before the game and [it was] a nice way to finish off our time here with a win.
"Chapter one is now closed, chapter two is really exciting."
A smiling Brenton Sanderson leads the Crows from AAMI Stadium for the final time. Picture: AFL Media
ADELAIDE 1.2 7.4 11.8 18.12 (120)
MELBOURNE 2.3 4.5 5.9 7.10 (52)
GOALS
Adelaide: Johnston 6, Callinan 2, Douglas 2, Jacobs, Kerridge, Thompson, Talia, Dangerfield, Van Berlo, Otten, Grigg
Melbourne: Howe 2, Watts 2, Sylvia 2, Tapscott
BEST
Adelaide: Thompson, Laird, Johnston, Kerridge, Sloane, Crouch
Melbourne: Jones, Toumpas, Dunn, Terlich, Trengove
INJURIES
Adelaide: Daniel Talia (back)
Melbourne: David Rodan (ankle), Jeremy Howe (cut face)
SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: David Mackay replaced Jared Petrenko in the third quarter
Melbourne: Aaron Davey replaced David Rodan (ankle) at quarter time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fleer, Hay, Armstrong
Official crowd: 35,643 at AAMI Stadium
