The Saints were impotent in attack as the Crows ground out a 9.11 (65) to 5.7 (37) victory, holding St Kilda goalless in the final term.
The margin was only a point at the quarter-time and half-time breaks, but a three-goal third term from Taylor Walker saw the Crows break 10 points clear at the final change.
They went into the last quarter two men down after losing in-form pair Graham Johncock (ankle) and Brad Symes (cut head) in the third term, but held on to win.
The Saints will be disappointed with their final tune up for the finals, with some injury worries as they ready for Geelong in the first week of the finals.
Nick Dal Santo (34 possessions, six clearances and a goal) starred for St Kilda and Brendon Goddard (35 disposals) and Leigh Montagna (34 disposals) also won plenty of the ball.
The Saints have some injury concerns heading into their qualifying final against Geelong, with defender Sam Fisher injuring his hamstring and goalsneak Stephen Milne pulling out before the game with an ankle complaint.
Adelaide took on the Saints at their own game in the first quarter, stifling the visitors’ run from defence with an effective zone.
St Kilda overused handball in a bid to clear the cluster of Crows and struggled to generate any meaningful inside 50s.
Fortunately for the Saints, Adelaide also found it tough to find an avenue to goal, with just four majors kicked for the term.
It was more of the same in the second quarter, with neither side able to gain an advantage in the enthralling arm wrestle.
It wasn’t until the second half that Adelaide pulled away, kicking six goals to St Kilda’s two to run out comfortable winners.
Adelaide 2.3 3.4 6.9 9.11(65)
St Kilda 2.2 3.3 5.5 5.7(37)
GOALS
Adelaide: Walker 3, Tippett 2, Porplyzia, Douglas, Sloane, Jaensch
St Kilda: Dal Santo, Gardiner, Dempster, Koschitzke, Geary
BEST
Adelaide: Thompson, Douglas, Reilly, Doughty, Martin, Walker, Rutten, Davis
St Kilda: Hayes, Dal Santo, Goddard, Montagna, Blake , Gram, Armitage
INJURIES
Adelaide: Johncock (ankle), Symes (cut head)
St Kilda: St Kilda: Milne (ankle) replaced in selected side by Dempster, Fisher (hamstring)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Kennedy, Meredith, McInerney
Official crowd: 38,121 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
