Greater Western Sydney has consolidated its spot in the top four while ending Adelaide's season in Canberra by 14 points.
The Giants' 13th victory of the season was hard-fought as the Crows' slim finals hopes were on the line, but Leon Cameron's men held on to win 15.16 (106) to 13.14 (92).
But GWS’s cursed run with injury has continued as veteran defender Heath Shaw (knee), All Australian midfielder Josh Kelly (concussion) and Sam Reid (hamstring) all failed to see out the match.
Kelly was knocked out after a heavy tackle from Crows skipper Taylor Walker in the third quarter that is certain to draw attention from the match review officer.
READ NEXT: Taylor Walker suspended for two matches
But Shaw's injury appears to be the worst of the lot.
Shaw went down midway through the final quarter and was taken from Manuka Oval on a
Despite being down to one fit player on the bench, GWS was able to hold out a determined Crows team, desperate to avoid missing the top eight following a Grand Final appearance last year.
Nothing separated the sides in the first half, but a Jacob Hopper goal just before three-quarter time saw the Giants take an 11-point lead into the final change.
After a tense final term, Hopper again popped up to kick the sealer with five minutes to go, taking the Giants to a 21-point lead.
Former No.1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield (30 possessions) and co-captain Callan Ward were shining lights for the Giants, while Jeremy Cameron, Harry Himmelberg, Aiden Bonar, Stephen Coniglio and Hopper booted two goals each.
Giants coach Leon Cameron called it an "outstanding" win considering their growing injury toll.
"Our first half was a little bit off and Adelaide were playing some great footy," Cameron said.
"We were lucky they didn't punish us a bit more ... going in four points down at half-time probably didn't tell the full tale."
A major positive for the Crows was the performance of Brodie Smith, who collected 29 touches in his second game back from ACL surgery, while spearhead Josh Jenkins finished with three goals.
Genuinely shattered #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/k836GOJd9Y
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) August 11, 2018
"We ran into a really good team tonight, who play a strong brand of footy but in some of the key moments we lost those and the Giants were able to
"We've got a couple of games to go so really important we focus on those games and get ourselves hopefully a couple of wins."
MEDICAL ROOM
Greater Western Sydney: Sam Reid came from the ground early in the third term with a hamstring issue and played no further part in the game. Josh Kelly was knocked out by a Taylor Walker tackle in the third quarter and spent the rest of the match on the bench. Heath Shaw was stretchered off in the last quarter with a left knee injury and will be sweating on scans in the coming days.
Adelaide: The Crows got through without any injury worries.
NEXT UP
The Giants head back to Spotless Stadium to host the Swans in what will be a massive Sydney derby on Saturday, while the Crows are in Adelaide to face North Melbourne in the Sunday twilight fixture.
More to come
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 4.4 6.9 11.14 15.16 (106)
ADELAIDE 4.3 7.7 10.9 13.14 (92)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Bonar 2, Himmelberg 2, Cameron 2, Hopper 2, Coniglio 2, Lobb, Whitfield, Griffen, Shiel, Kelly
Adelaide: Jenkins 3, Murphy 2, Lynch 2, Gibbs 2, Douglas, Mackay, Betts, Walker
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Whitfield, Ward, Himmelberg, Lobb, Shiel, Davis
Adelaide: Smith, Sloane, Crouch, Lynch, Keath, Gibbs
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Matt de Boer (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Lachie Keeffe, Sam Reid (hamstring), Josh Kelly (concussion), Heath Shaw (knee)
Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stephens, Chamberlain, McInerney
Official crowd: 13,249 at UNSW Canberra Oval