A nine-minute burst was enough to give Melbourne a 24-point win over Adelaide in a sub-standard AFL match at the MCG.

The Demons kicked four goals to one in the last quarter to win 11.12 (78) to 7.12 (54).

Defenders dominated in the ugly contest, with Clint Bizzell and Ryan Ferguson strong for Melbourne.

Adelaide captain Mark Ricciuto was the only midfielder who used the ball consistently well, while Crows backmen Ben Rutten and Ben Hart also impressed.

The poor quality of the game was surprising, given the two sides had won four of their opening six games. Melbourne was also the highest-scoring team in the league before this round and it was a perfect autumn evening.

The Demons finally broke the game open with four successive goals, starting at three-quarter time.

Melbourne regained the lead by two points after the three-quarter time siren when Simon Godfrey goalled from a free kick.

Aaron Davey, Adem Yze and James McDonald goalled early in the last term to give Melbourne a 19-point lead.

Ian Perrie reduced the margin to 13 points with his second goal, but at 20 minutes Davey ran onto the ball and kicked the sealer.

Davey, team-mate Daniel Ward and Perrie all kicked two goals apiece.

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