Adelaide has broken its five-game losing streak and regained its place in the top eight with a workmanlike 24-point victory over Sydney at the SCG on Saturday.

An eight goal to four first half put the Crows in the box seat and their opening two majors of the fourth quarter delivered the killer blow in a low-scoring contest. The visitors eventually ran out winners 11.11 (77) to 6.17 (53).

The commitment of both teams couldn't be questioned but the Crows were better at finishing off their hard work.

They also benefited from a five-goal haul from Jason Porplyzia while the Swans struggled for options in attack.

Barry Hall, in his comeback game, was well held by Ben Rutten and scored just one major late in the match.

Amazingly the Crows have now beaten the Swans in nine of their past 10 encounters.

Adelaide was also well served by a Chris Knights, Bernie Vince, Tyson Edwards and Ivan Maric in the midfield.

Ryan O'Keefe collected 35 possessions for the Swans while Brett Kirk and Marty Mattner, against his old club, were busy performers.

The opening 20 minutes of the clash was a scrappy end-to-end tussle. But the teams clicked into gear during time-on with Adelaide taking control.

The Crows kicked three goals in as many minutes with the hard-working Nick Gill running hot in the forward 50.

It was one-way traffic before a Luke Ablett snap-shot pegged one back for the home side and the difference was nine points at the first change.

The second quarter followed a similar script with the teams taking their time to get the scoreboard ticking.

Porplyzia, who was shaking out his troublesome shoulder earlier in the game, scored three goals for the stanza.

The Swans got some relief when Craig Bird and Matthew O'Dwyer scored consecutive majors midway through the term.

But it was the Crows' quarter and they headed into the long break with a handy 23-point buffer.

The third quarter was played with plenty of intensity but in an AFL rarity neither side was able to score a goal.

Adelaide was playing the more convincing footy but Sydney would've rued some missed opportunities - a Tadhg Kennelly set shot, a Jarrad McVeigh snap and a Peter Everitt poster were all off target.

The Swans did whittle the margin but by only two points heading into the final quarter.

A long goal by Brad Symes opened the scoring in the fourth quarter and gave the Crows a decisive buffer.

And when Porplyzia delivered his fourth major the Crows were home.

It was a frustrating term for the Swans who hit the post four times and had to wait until after the siren to score their second goal of term through Ben Mathews.

SYDNEY: 2.3, 4.8, 4.12, 6.17 (53)
ADELAIDE: 3.6, 8.7, 8.10, 11.11 (77)

GOALS: SYDNEY: Jolly, Ablett, Bird, O'Dwyer, Hall, Mathews
ADELAIDE: Porplyzia 5, Goodwin 2, Campbell, Gill, McKay, Symes
BEST: SYDNEY: O'Keefe, Kirk, Mattner, Richards, Kennelly
ADELAIDE: Porplyzia, Knights, Rutten, Vince, Edwards, Symes, Maric, Bassett
INJURIES: SYDNEY: Playfair (hamstring)
ADELAIDE: van Berlo (concussion)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Malceski replaced into the selected side by Mathews. Massie replaced in the selected by Moran.
UMPIRES: Vozzo, Armstrong, McInerney
CROWD: 26,260

Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3. J.Porplyzia (Adelaide)
2. C. Knights (Adelaide)
1. B. Rutten (Adelaide)