Adelaide were given a serious fright by a persevering Fremantle before surviving to record a tense 18-point AFL victory over the Dockers at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

On a brilliant, sunny afternoon, the Crows made all the early running, but did not put Fremantle away and were ultimately fortunate to trudge off winners, 12.16 (88) to 10.11 (71).

Playing freely through the middle and then bobbing up late to kick the match-sealing goals, Andrew McLeod was outstanding for Adelaide and received strong support from Michael Doughty, Brad Symes and Jason Porplyzia (two goals).

Brett Burton and Simon Goodwin fired through three goals each for the Crows.

Dockers youngster Rhys Palmer was superb for the visitors, as was another tyro Garrick Ibbotson.

Peter Bell played a key role in fuelling his side's third term resurgence, while Jeff Farmer nabbed three goals and Aaron Sandilands enjoyed his expected ruck advantage.

Within minutes of the first bounce it became clear Adelaide would be given far more latitude against the out of sorts Dockers than they had ever received from Hawthorn.

However for much of a sluggish first half they were unable to take full advantage of the space, at one point in the second term leading by only eight points.

The Dockers, though, continued to struggle for fluency, and a brace of fine kicks by Burton and Goodwin stretched the lead to a more representative 25 points at the half.

By time on in the third quarter it had eased out to 30 and the Crows appeared safe against the still hesitant Dockers.

But a "purple patch" from Farmer saw the visitors nail the last two goals of the term, and it was to be Adelaide who began the final term looking the more nervous side.

Two quick majors to Johnson and Solomon drew the visitors to within one straight kick and brought groans aplenty from the crowd.

For a tantalising few minutes it seemed inevitable the Dockers would nab the lead with a series of attacks.

But the final pass was elusive, and a tiring Adelaide were able to find a handful of more organised attacks.

A fortunate free allowed Scott Thompson to convert from a tight angle, and a pair of poaching efforts from McLeod gave the Crows just enough breathing room to win.

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