Edwards finished with 32 possessions and two goals in a near best-on-ground performance as the depleted Crows notched up just their third win of the season 16.9 (105) to 12.10 (82).
The Crows led by 23 points at half time, but a Matthew Pavlich-led revival saw Freo close to within six points early in the final quarter.
Adelaide, which lost Andrew McLeod and Phil Davis to injury in the first half, was expected to tire in the latter stages of the game, but crucial goals to youngsters Taylor Walker and Patrick Dangerfield saw the home side hold on for a famous win.
Walker booted four goals in an impressive four-quarter display, while Edwards, Dangerfield and tough midfielder Scott Thompson finished with two each.
Emerging midfielder Rory Sloane, who replaced Edwards in the 22 last weekend, finished with 20 possessions and six inside 50s, while Scott Thompson (34 disposals), Simon Goodwin (30 disposals) and Graham Johncock (26 disposals) were also instrumental.
Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow continued his world-beating debut season with 32 possessions and three goals, while Stephen Hill (24 possessions and two goals), Pavlich (three goals) and ruckman Aaron Sandilands (37 hit-outs and a goal) also won their positions.
Edwards made the shock decision to retire after being told he would be dropped for the round 10 clash with St Kilda.
The 33-year-old’s performance on Saturday had people questioning whether his decision to quit was premature, but after the game coach Neil Craig said he was confident the club champion had made the right call.
“My only request to him was to play as hard as he could and I think he did. I think he was absolutely honest when he said that the game has gone past him, but I was still confident to pick him knowing that he would dig deep,” Craig said.
“If you went and spoke to Tyson tomorrow morning [he would say that] to keep going to the well is unrealistic and not appropriate. I think it’s been a good call and it’s been a good day for the club with the way it’s worked out with Tyson’s performance and our winning performance, but now we push on without Tyson.”
The win came at a cost for the injury-hit Crows, with McLeod and young defender Davis both expected to spend time on the sidelines.
McLeod’s troublesome knee locked up at half time, while Davis suffered concussion and a suspected broken collarbone after being cleaned up by Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands.
Sandilands wasn’t reported for the high bump and coach Mark Harvey said he thought the contact was justified.
“The ball fell short and Aaron had to make a lunge for the mark, that’s it,” Harvey said after the game.
Fremantle was outplayed for most of the day with the exception of the third quarter.
The visitors lost the clearances and the contested possession and also lacked their trademark defensive pressure.
Harvey said his side simply had too many passengers on the day.
“A lot of our players had quiet games and the ones we needed to have good games [didn’t]. Some of our younger players held sway, like Hill and Fyfe, and Barlow was really good for us, but some of our older players and middle-tier players were really quiet,” he said.
The loss could see Fremantle drop to fourth on the AFL ladder, while the Crows remain two wins outside the top eight.
Adelaide 6.1 11.3 12.6 16.9 (105)
Fremantle 5.3 7.4 10.6 12.10 (82)
GOALS
Adelaide: Walker 4, Edwards 2, Dangerfield 2, Thompson 2, McLeod, Petrenko, Johncock, Tippett, Goodwin, Porplyzia
Fremantle: Pavlich 3, Barlow 3, Hill 2, Sandilands, Mayne, van Berlo, Fyfe
BEST
Adelaide: Johncock, Thompson, Edwards, Mackay, Dangerfield, Sloane, Goodwin, Douglas, Walker
Fremantle: Barlow, Sandilands, Hill, Mundy, Fyfe
INJURIES
Adelaide: Davis (concussion), McLeod (knee)
Fremantle: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Avon, McInerney, Mollison
Official crowd: 35,605 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
