Adelaide almost caused an upset in its clash against Geelong on Saturday but six goals to Cats star Jeremy Cameron helped the hosts' to a five-point win.

After the Crows led early in the final term, defender Lawson Humphries proved Geelong's unlikely hero, sinking his first AFL goal to help deliver a 13.12 (90) to 13.7 (85) win at GMHBA Stadium.

Shaun Mannagh kicked two goals and provided plenty of drive, while Tyson Stengle was lively and finished with 20 touches and one goal.

Adelaide forward Riley Thilthorpe (three goals), Josh Rachele (three goals) and Taylor Walker (two goals) were dangerous, while Crows Skipper Jordan Dawson (27 disposals) and Rory Laird (29 touches) got to work in the middle.

It was a scrappy affair early, which had patches of sand throughout the turf.

The Cats led by eight points at both quarter-time and half-time, but Cameron's fourth and fifth goals, via an unconventional snap and a check side on the run respectively, helped Geelong to a 22-point lead in the third quarter.

But the Crows booted the final four goals of the term, including two to Rachele, with Jake Soligo putting them in front by three at the final change.

After Thilthorpe extended Adelaide's lead to nine, the Cats got to work.

Humphries brilliantly snapped Geelong back in front before Cameron's sixth proved enough to break Adelaide hearts.

The Crows will host the Western Bulldogs next Sunday.

SCOREBOARD

GEELONG        3.4         7.5         10.8          13.12 (90)
ADELAIDE       2.2         6.3         11.5          13.7 (85)

GOALS
Geelong: Cameron 6, Mannagh 2, Neale, Stengle, Bruhn, Henry, Humphries.
Adelaide: Rachele 3, Thilthorpe 3, Walker 2, Sholl, Soligo, Fogarty, Keays, Murphy.

BEST
Geelong: Cameron, Stewart, Bruhn, Atkins, Dangerfield.
Adelaide: Laird, Dawson, Sholl, Soligo, Crouch, O'Brien.

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Jack Bowes (replaced Sam De Koning in the fourth quarter)
Adelaide: Dan Curtin (replaced Matt Crouch in the fourth quarter)