Adelaide has earned the double chance and a date with Geelong in a qualifying final after beating the Western Bulldogs by nine points at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Crows were in sixth place before the weekend but upset results to Fremantle and Port Adelaide provided them with an unexpected opportunity to move up the ladder.

They took their opportunity with both hands outlasting the Dogs in a thriller, eventually winning 10.16 (76) to 9.13 (67).

There was nothing between the sides throughout the afternoon and the titanic struggle between Tyson Edwards and Jason Akermanis epitomized the arm-wrestle of a game.

The Crows deserved the victory but their cause was assisted by a poor umpiring decision in the fourth quarter. Jason Porplyzia was awarded a goal but television replays showed the ball was clearly rushed by a diving Akermanis.

It was a disappointing result for the Bulldogs who for much of the contest were the better side. But the game was played in finals-type pressure and could prove ideal preparation for their qualifying final against the Hawks.

The first quarter was played in bursts with three goals scored in the opening two minutes and then a further three majors in a hurry during time-on.

Beyond those flashy moments it was a scrappy and willing opening as the players tried to adapt to the wet and slippery conditions. It was the Western Bulldogs that were coping best and when Nathan Eagleton scored the final goal of the term they held a deserved eight-point lead.

The greasy battle continued in the second term with neither team able convert from their opportunities in attack. It took a classic roving goal from Nathan van Berlo to sway the momentum in the Crows' favour midway through the term.

Adelaide hit the front for the first time when Richard Douglas kick a point and they could've veered away if they'd made the most of their opportunities.

Instead the Dogs made the most of a rare foray in attack - Lindsay Gilbee scoring a major from 40 metres to give his side a four point buffer at the long break.

The intensity lifted again in the second half with goals hard to come by. The Western Bulldogs' skills were cleaner and they won plenty of the ball but they couldn't shake their determined opposition.

A shocking turnover by the visitors set up Tyson Edwards' second goal and saw the teams squared away at 54 points at three quarter time.

Adelaide took a handy lead with Porplyzia's controversial goal kicking off the fourth quarter.

But there was no debate about the Crows second major for the term with Kurt Tippett marking strongly and converting from close range.

At that stage the South Australian side looked home with the vocal AAMI Stadium getting behind their team.

But a set shot from Scott Welsh and long skidding goal from Ryan Griffen brought the margin back to two points.

The game was sealed however when Tyson Edwards scored his third goal from close range.

ADELAIDE: 3.1, 4.10, 7.12, 10.16 (76)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 4.3, 5.8, 7.12, 9.13 (67)

b>GOALS: ADELAIDE: Edwards 3, van Berlo 2, Porplyzia 2, Thompson, Stevens, Tippett
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Harbrow, Higgins, Giansiracusa, Eagleton, Gilbee, Akermanis, Murphy, Welsh, Griffen
BEST: ADELAIDE: Edwards, van Berlo, Doughty, Stevens, Knights, Symes, Rutten, McLeod
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Eagleton, Cross, Giansiracusa, Cooney, Akermanis, Griffen, Hill
INJURIES: ADELAIDE: Nil
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Johnson (cut head)
REPORTS: Lake reported for striking Scott Stevens in the second quarter.
CHANGES: Hudson replaced in the selected side by Skipper.
UMPIRES: Vozzo, Meredith, McInerney
CROWD:37,543

Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3. Tyson Edwards (Adelaide)
2. Nathan Eagleton (W.B)
1. Nathan van Berlo (Adelaide)