Adelaide revived an AFL season thought to be dead with a stunning 11-point upset win over ladder leaders Geelong on Friday night.

The Crows triumphed 11.8 (74) to 9.9 (63) at AAMI Stadium in a victory which lifts them within striking distance of the top eight.

Adelaide's 20-year-old forward Taylor Walker kicked four goals as his side erased a six-point halftime deficit on their way to a seventh victory of the season.

The Crows, incredibly after losing their initial six games, sit one win outside the top eight after their most stirring performance of the year.

Geelong will lose top spot to the winner of Saturday's St Kilda and Collingwood encounter after being over-run by the Crows, who kicked five unanswered goals from midway through the third quarter to burst open a previously tight game.

Walker was particularly prominent in that game turning patch, as was his novice teammate Ricky Henderson whose 50-metre boundary line shot in the 10th minute of the final term gave the Crows a seemingly match winning 21 point buffer.

But small Cats Matthew Stokes and Gary Ablett kicked goals within two minutes to reduce the margin to nine points and send shivers through the Crows and their parochial 41,195-strong home crowd.

After a tense eight-minute deadlock when Adelaide's lead slipped to six points, Adelaide's ninth-gamer Rory Sloane coolly slotted a set shot in the 23rd minute to consign the Cats to their fourth defeat of the season.

The Crows were superbly served by defenders Scott Stevens and Graham Johncock, their interception and creativity a highlight.

Captain Simon Goodwin (29 disposals) and onballer Bernie Vince (32 touches) were prolific ball winners while Henders two goals were invaluable in his sixth AFL game.

Geelong's captain heir apparent Joel Selwood was typically relentless in gathering 35 touches while defenders Andrew Mackie and Harry Taylor provided great drive.

But star midfielder Gary Ablett was contained to 19 possessions and colleagues Jimmy Bartel and Joel Corey were similarly well held.

Cameron Mooney, returning from a two game suspension, was the Cats' sole multiple goal kicker with two.

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