St Kilda has recorded a valuable victory away from home, beating a determined Adelaide by 32 points at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

The Saints, who are normally poor travelers and have lost their past three games at West Lakes, had a slight advantage in the first three quarters before veering away in the final term to eventually win 15.11 (101) to 10.9 (69).

St Kilda's forward line was more dangerous than Adelaide's with Justin Koschitzke kicking four goals, Nick Riewoldt presenting himself at most contests while Adam Schneider bobbed up with two goals.

The Crows' new-look attack displayed some positive signs during the third term but didn't have enough quality ball to change the game. They were also without Trent Hentschel who sat out the second half with a minor injury.

St Kilda was a deserved winner but Adelaide would've been unhappy with the umpiring. The free kick count was 30-11 in the Saints' favor – a statistic that caused some discontent among the crowd.

Koschitzke's haul made him a dangerous player while Nick Dal Santo, Sam Fisher and Jason Gram were high possession winners.

Nathan Bock had a good battle with Riewoldt, Tyson Edwards' performance was clean under pressure while Scott Thompson made a excellent return to the side with 27 touches.

St Kilda kicked into a significant breeze during the first quarter but it didn't stop them catching Adelaide on the hop.

The visitors were able to penetrate the Crows' zone and move the ball into their forward 50 quickly.

Their free-flowing approach worked for the Saints' tall timber with Koschitzke, Riewoldt and Steven King getting their names on the scoreboard and handing their team a 12-point buffer at the first change.

Adelaide bounced back in the second quarter and, similar to St Kilda in the first term, found height up forward to be a dangerous weapon.

Kurt Tippett bobbed up for two goals while ruckman Ivan Maric's snap-set shot was unusual but effective.

The lead changed hands but only momentarily with the Saints responding to the challenge.

Their continual pressure opened up opportunities for Leigh Montagna and recruit Farren Ray to score and regain a narrow margin at the long break.

The third quarter featured swinging momentum with St Kilda making the early running.

A trademark crumbing goal from Stephen Milne and Michael Gardiner free kick and major, thanks to an angry Maric, saw the difference balloon out to a game-high 22 points.

But the Crows previously limp forward line, which was now without the injured Hentschel, came to life.

Taylor Walker converted from close range while Jason Porplyzia kicked two goals in as many minutes.

Walker also had a chance to level the scores after the siren but his long attempt slid just right of the goal post.

Tippett reduced the margin to a point with the opening major of the final quarter.

The buzz around AAMI Stadium was short-lived however with Schneider and Koschitzke giving their side some breathing space.

ADELAIDE: 2.2, 5.3, 9,8, 10.9 (69)
ST KILDA: 4.2,6.7, 10.7, 15.11 (101)

GOALS: ADELAIDE: Porplyzia 3, Tippett 3, Hentschel, Maric, Vince, Walker
ST KILDA: Koschitzke 4, Schneider 2, Riewoldt 2, King, Montagna, Ray, Geary, Milne, Gardiner, Goddard
BEST: ADELAIDE: Bock, Edwards, Thompson, Johncock, van Berlo, Dangerfield
ST KILDA: Montagna, Koschitzke, Dal Santo, Fisher, Baker, Gilbert
INJURIES: ADELAIDE: Hentschel (knee)
ST KILDA: TBC
REPORTS: TBC
CHANGES: -
UMPIRES: McBurney, Wenn, Ryan
CROWD: 41,189 at the AAMI STADIUM