A last quarter surge has earned Adelaide a 21-point win over Sturt in challenging conditions on Saturday afternoon.

The low-scoring affair was played in pouring rain with puddles all along the ground, making the ball difficult to control at Unley Oval.

Two goals to debutant Jy Farrar in the highly contested last quarter just got the Crows over the line, finishing 6.8 (44) to 3.5 (23) winners.

Andy Otten adapted best to the conditions, with five intercept marks, eight spoils and 24 touches.

Ruckman Sam Jacobs also mastered the wet, having 46 hitouts, 12 disposals and six clearances.

He gave first look to players to first-year player Chayce Jones (19 disposals – 12 contested and nine tackles) and experienced Crow David Mackay (19 touches, four clearances and a goal).

Captain Matthew Wright also impressed with 23 disposals, five clearances and a goal.

Midfielder Patrick Wilson was in and under all day, just finishing with more disposals (24) than tackles (22).

Shane McAdam kicked two goals – just like his cousin Farrar.

AFL Match Report: Crows fall to Geelong

State League coach Heath Younie said he was pleased with how the players adapted to the weather and said it builds belief that they can win in all different conditions.

“It was a field position game today and that’s the technical side of it, but the mentality of competing in these conditions – the team that can do it for harder and longer gets the result,” Younie said.

“It was an arm wrestle and to our guys credit, in the last 20 minutes, we played really strong football.

“Their ability to adapt to the conditions quickly and play a brand of football that is conducive to the weather – they should be really proud.”

McAdam suffered a head knock late in the match, while Myles Poholke had calf tightness and sat out the second half as a precaution.

Both players will be assessed during the week.

ADELAIDE             1.3         2.5            3.6         6.8          (44)
STURT                   0.3         2.4            3.5         3.5          (23)

GOALS:
Adelaide: McAdam 2, Farrar 2, Wright, Mackay
Sturt: Sutcliffe, Hone, Penfold

BEST: Otten, Jacobs, Wright, Mackay, Jones, Wilson