Crows into the eight

ADELAIDE have downed Fremantle by 17 points in a hard-fought scrap to climb into the AFL’s top eight for the first time this season.

The Crows won 7.9 (51) to 5.4 (34) in a high-pressure battle at Adelaide Oval.

Adelaide began the round in ninth spot but the gritty triumph lifts them to sixth, one rung below the Dockers.

Crows midfielder Matt Crouch (39 disposals), his brother Brad (31 possessions) and linkman Tom Lynch (29 touches, eight marks) were influential in Adelaide’s fourth win of the season.