The Crows took advantage of having the breeze in the second term to boot five goals to nil to lead at 18 points at half time and by 25 points late in the third quarter before Fremantle got on a roll, booting five straight goals to hit the lead early in the final quarter.
However, Adelaide's skills were superior when it mattered. Jason Porplyzia and Taylor Walker kicked their third goals to put the Crows back in control by 18 points and paving the way for the 15.14 (104) to 11.14 (80) win.
With four and three goals respectively, Porplyzia and Walker were terrific for Adelaide. Further up the ground, Scott Thompson, Brent Reilly and Nathan van Berlo led the way with 22 touches.
David MacKay was also terrific with 19 disposals, Michael Doughty good with 21, and Patrick Dangerfield showed great signs with 20. Richard Douglas, Tyson Edwards, Simon Goodwin, Andy Otten, Brad Symes and Bernie Vince all contributed well to the win as well.
Stevens missed the entire second half after copping a heavy knock from Luke McPharlin's knee to his head late in the second term. He returned to the bench with two cuts to his cheekbone and will await further scans.
With the 30-plus degree heat and strong blustery wind causing havoc for the skills of both teams, Fremantle had the advantage of the breeze in the first quarter, and got the first two goals of the game through Ryan Crowley and Matthew Pavlich.
Symes got the Crows on the board midway through the term and Adelaide did well to trail by just 14 points at quarter-time.
After holding relatively firm in the opening term, the Crows took full advantage of the breeze in the second, and the pressure they were able to apply on Fremantle caused an endless array of turnovers.
Goals to Porplyzia, Dangerfield, Kurt Tippett, Walker and Nick Gill were the only ones of the second quarter as Adelaide opened up a handy 18-point lead.
The Walker goal was the standout. Stevens drew four Fremantle players into the marking contest and brought the ball to ground for Walker to pounce, baulk several defenders and slot a terrific goal.
The positive signs from the half were soured when Stevens copped a massive knock from McPharlin. While it did lead to 50m penalty and goal to Gill, Stevens was carried from the ground on a stretcher after standing his ground in a marking contest.
Fremantle came out after the break with the breeze and nailed the first goal through Stephen Hill, but good quick goals from Porplyzia and Edwards saw Adelaide out by 22 points, and still 12 by three-quarter time.
The home side continued that momentum with three goals in the first six minutes of the last quarter to hit the front for the first time since early in the second quarter. Four goals in seven minutes to Walker (two), Porplyzia and Dangerfield ensured the Crows secured the hard-fought win.
Adelaide has now won two road games to start the 2009 season, and take on Geelong at AAMI Stadium next Saturday night.
Adelaide 1.3 6.7 9.12 15.14 (104)
Fremantle 3.5 3.7 7.12 11.14 (80)
GOALS
Adelaide: Porplyzia 4, Walker 3, Dangerfield, Douglas, Edwards, Gill, McLeod, Symes, Tippett, van Berlo
Fremantle: Pavlich 3, Crowley 2, Hasleby, Hill, Hinkley, Mundy, Schammer, Tarrant
BEST
Adelaide: Thompson, Porplyzia, Walker, Doughty, Reilly, Rutten, Goodwin
Fremantle: Hasleby, Ibbotson, Pavlich, Hill, Johnson, Palmer
INJURIES
Adelaide: Stevens (concussion)
Fremantle: Hill (finger), Broughton (ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Wenn, Keating
Official crowd: 30,035 at Subiaco Oval
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
