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 record a much-deserved win 9.11 (65) to 5.7 (37).
The Saints will be disappointed with their final tune up for the finals, with their forward line appearing impotent, and some injury concerns as they ready for Geelong in the first week of the finals.
Walker’s three goals saw him the leading scorer, while Kurt Tippett made up for some inaccurate goalkicking early in the game with two majors in the final term.
Tough midfielder Scott Thompson (37 possessions, eight clearances) enjoyed his battle with Saints star Lenny Hayes (32 possessions, five clearances) and Richard Douglas (27 touches and a goal) and Brodie Martin (28 touches, eight inside 50s) were also influential.
Defender Phil Davis held Nick Riewoldt goalless for the first time this season, while Chris Schmidt limited running defender Sam Gilbert’s influence.
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
