ADELAIDE has moved a step closer to securing fourth spot and a first-round finals clash with Geelong, after claiming a thrilling nine-point win over the Western Bulldogs 10.16 (76) to 9.13 (67) at AAMI Stadium.

The Crows, buoyed by losses to fellow top-four contenders Collingwood and North Melbourne, held off the unlucky Dogs courtesy of a controversial goal to Jason Porplyzia in the last term.

Nathan van Berlo, Michael Doughty and Scott Thompson battled hard for the Crows while Tyson Edwards was the hero up forward with three goals in the dour battle.

Adelaide started Saturday’s game determined to do what neither Collingwood nor North Melbourne could not, and secure fourth spot ahead of next week’s finals series.

But it was the third-placed Western Bulldogs, with their September fate already sealed that got off to the ideal start.

The sunshine that bathed Adelaide all week made way for strong wind and light drizzle just before the opening bounce, but the torrid weather failed to stall the fleet-footed Dogs.

Jarrod Harbrow got the visitors on the board with the first goal and when Shaun Higgins found the middle of the big sticks, the Bulldogs had two in two minutes.

The Crows, aware of the darkening skies above, halted the Dogs’ dangerous surge and responded with a major to gun midfielder Scott Thompson.

Jason Porplyzia, whose troublesome shoulder dislocated while watching TV on Friday night, continued to defy his injury in the first quarter.

Porplyzia applied a lunging tackle to Will Minson, who led the ruck after the late withdrawal of Ben Hudson, and was awarded a free kick after the strapping ruckman was pinged for a throw.

The classy forward nailed the resulting shot on goal and reduced the margin to a point before Daniel Giansiracusa capitalised with a goal of his own from an Adelaide mistake at the other end.

Errors marred the rest of the opening term as both sides struggled to adapt their run and carry style of play to the wet AAMI Stadium deck.

Nathan van Berlo, who was tagged out of the game last week, appeared to enjoy the dour conditions and starred with nine touches and a goal for the term.

Nathan Eagleton also took to the slippery surface like a duck to water and when the Crows failed to clear the ball from defence, the former Port Adelaide midfielder pounced and extended the Dogs’ lead to eight points at quarter time.

The second quarter had absolutely everything, including a report, a mark of the year contender and blood rules, but goals were at a premium.

The rain started bucketing down as the umpire raised the ball for the opening throw-up of the term and the skill errors only got worse.

Both teams traded behinds on their way to a combined total of 2.14 for the quarter.

Again, it was van Berlo that steadied for Adelaide and his clever right-foot snap brought the Crows back within a solitary point.

Western Bulldogs defender Brian Lake vented his frustration on Crow Scott Stevens and was reported for making high contact.

Nick Gill created his own fireworks at the other end with a huge leap and mark over his opponent. The enigmatic forward missed the resulting shot on goal and registered one of Adelaide’s nine behinds for the term.

The Crows lifted their intensity with some fierce tackling, but an uncharacteristic Andrew McLeod error from the kick-in handed sharpshooter Lindsay Gilbee a goal and the Dogs a four-point lead at the main break.

The arm wrestle continued in the third term, but the mini-battle between Tyson Edwards and Jason Akermanis created an interesting sub-plot.

Akermanis, who found himself opposed to Edwards on the last line of defence, drew first blood with a clever goal to extend his side’s lead at the start of the term.

Scott Stevens and Robert Murphy went goal-for-goal, before Edwards got one back on his colourful opponent. The reliable veteran slotted two goals late in the term and helped level the scores at the final change.

What started as a dream for Akermanis quickly turned into a complete and utter nightmare in the last quarter.

Crows hero Porplyzia ran on to a loose ball in the goal square and was awarded a major despite replays showing the Sherrin was pushed over the line by the hand of Akermanis.

Adelaide threatened to runaway with it when youngster Kurt Tippett converted from a strong pack mark, but a goal to former Crows Scott Welsh and a 75m torpedo from Ryan Griffen reduced the deficit to just two points.

The Dogs had chances to restore their lead, but another goal to that man Edwards was enough to get the Crows over the line.

Adelaide  3.1  4.10  7.12  10.16 (76)
Western Bulldogs 4.3  5.8  7.12  9.13 (67)

GOALS
Adelaide: Edwards 3, Van Berlo 2, Porplyzia 2, Thompson, Stevens, Tippett
Western Bulldogs: Harbrow, Higgins, Giansiracusa, Gilbee, Eagleton, Murphy, Akermanis, Welsh, Griffen

BEST
Adelaide: Van Berlo, Edwards, Doughty, Thompson, Symes, Maric, Stevens, McLeod
Western Bulldogs: Cross, Giansiracusa, Eagleton, Gilbee, Akermanis

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Johnson (cut head) returned to field

Reports: Lake (Western Bulldogs) for high contact on Stevens (Adelaide)
Umpires: Vozzo, Meredith, McInerney
Official crowd: 37,545 at AAMI Stadium

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.