Kurt Tippett says a physical and mental break over the bye week was a factor in his impressive five-goal haul against St Kilda at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

Tippett - the most prolific first-quarter goalkicker in the League - was one of the architects of Adelaide’s fast start against the Saints, kicking 3.1 in the opening term to help propel his team to a 14-point lead at quarter-time. The 202cm forward, who also climbed atop St Kilda big man Justin Koschitzke to take one of the best marks of his career in the first quarter, finished with 5.3 - his best return of the season.

The competitive Crow said he felt fresh on Friday night after a few days off last week.

“I just said to the coach (Brenton Sanderson) that I felt like I was running on top of the ground again, which is a good feeling,” Tippett told afc.com.au after the game.

“I went home to the Gold Coast after the Perth game (against Fremantle in Round 10) and saw mum, dad and my family. I came back and had a couple of days training and then went to Melbourne for the weekend for some ‘R&R’ as well. I had a good time, but I’m ready to knuckle down now for the rest of the season.

“I felt good tonight. It’s not bad starting the game like that (with three first-quarter goals). You get a bit of confidence and that can carry on throughout the game.

“Unfortunately, we lost a bit of momentum and the ball stopped coming down as frequently but it was good to grind it out in the end.”

Tippett topped the list of Crows goalkickers, but was supported by Jason Porplyzia (three goals), Taylor Walker (2.3) and small forwards Ian Callinan and Matt Wright, who each slotted two goals.

Coach Brenton Sanderson said he was happy with his team’s forward line potency.

“Tippo looked sharp tonight. I hoped he was going to kick a bag tonight and five is a great result for him. I was really happy with his effort,” Sanderson said.

“Taylor Walker hit the post twice and kicked three behinds (in total) in the last quarter. Taylor and Kurt looked really dangerous up forward and Josh Jenkins did too in the first half.

“We’ve got targets to kick the ball to and Ian Callinan just gets to the feet of those boys at every contest. His two goals tonight were great and I was really happy Jason Porplyzia kicked three in a quarter tonight. He had that burst, which broke the game open.”

The undersized St Kilda defence was dealt a blow, losing utility Jason Blake to injury at half-time.

Tippett acknowledged his team had a size advantage in attack on Friday night, but backed Adelaide's forward line to trouble any side in the competition.

“We’ve got Tex, Josh Jenkins and myself down there (playing in key positions),” he said.

“So, if we’re able to play long and strong I think we can unsettle any defence at the minute.”

The Crows led by five goals early in the final term, but watched their lead dwindle to a mere 10 points as the Saints mounted a late challenge. A kick after the siren cut the final margin to four points.

“I thought we started really well and put St Kilda under pressure early, but to the Saints’ credit they fought back and made it too close for comfort in the end,” Tippett said.

“Tonight showed there’s lots of improvement left in us. I don’t think we’ve really nailed a team with four hard quarters of our best footy yet. It’s probably good to have that challenge in front of us because it keeps driving us to improve.”

Adelaide will enjoy a nine-day break before taking on North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium next Sunday. Bernie Vince, who missed the thrilling win over St Kilda through suspension, will be available and defender Graham Johncock (back) will also hope to prove his fitness.

“It’s back to business and good to start with a win after the week off,” Tippett said.

“It’s always competitive for spots and that’s another strength of our side at the moment. Guys in the SANFL are putting pressure on the guys in the team and that’s a great sign.”