St Kilda has won the NAB Cup Grand Final by beating Adelaide by five points in sweltering conditions at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.

The Saints failed to score a goal in the opening term but improved as the contest progressed; their more experienced midfield getting on top in the second half.

A burst of three goals in four minutes saw the visitors open up a 20-point lead during the third term and from that point they had the Crows' measure. The visitors eventually secured the cup with a 2.7.9 (69) to 0.9.10 (64) scoreline.

Adelaide stuck with its 'experimental' midfield and, although outplayed, put in a competitive effort.

They regained the lead in the second minute of the fourth quarter but couldn't overcome a composed opposition.

Jason Gram was left unattended for most of the contest and had 33 possessions to win the Michael Tuck medal, Robert Harvey defied his midweek critics by collecting 22 touches while Adam Schneider was another busy player.

Brad Symes made an impressive start to the clash and finished with 23 touches while Brent Riley and Andrew McLeod both had 21 disposals. Kurt Tippett was also impressive with four goals.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said the victory topped off a positive pre-season for his side.

"I was really pleased with our effort in really difficult conditions, I thought we persisted and persevered," he said.

"I don't think either team played great football but it was a really good contest. (But) For the football club its momentum going into the season with four wins."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig said it was 'tough' game and a good experience for the team's less experienced squad members.

"It's important for our junior players, our younger players to go in with the attitude of wanting to win," he said.

"They get that experience of what it takes and when we analyse it, the things we need to do better under the real heat of really strong competition."

Adelaide made the better start to the contest, easily clearing the ball from defence and executing some quick entries into their forward 50.

But it still took them more than 15 minutes to record the only major of the first quarter - Tippett taking a strong mark and converting from close range.

The Saints found it harder to set up attacking plays but had their own chances to make an impact on the scoreboard. Koschitzke's inaccurate set shot from close range was the glaring error from their inconspicuous opening.

St Kilda made a better fist of the second stanza with Nick Riewoldt scoring the team's first goal from a 40-metre set shot.

It sparked a stronger effort from his team mates who won plenty of the ball - Raph Clarke, Nick Dal Santo, Gram and Schneider proving productive.

Meanwhile Adelaide's attacking game became a little predictable and Richard Douglas' crumbing goal was its only highlight.

The Saints strong term was capped off by a late supergoal to Schneider - a 50-metre penalty by Scott Thompson in the midfield seeing the former Sydney player boot the nine pointer from 25 metres.

The shot put the Saints in front for the first time in the contest, the visitors holding a five-point lead at the long break.

The game opened up in the second half with both sides finding scoring easier.

A supergoal to Gram and majors to Riewoldt and Xavier Clarke in the space of