MELBOURNE is one game clear at the top of the ladder after holding off a determined Adelaide outfit to win by 29 points on Saturday afternoon.

The Crows threatened throughout the game, but couldn’t quite break past the reigning premier in the 14.10 (94) to 10.5 (65) contest.

The Demons kicked the first three goals of the game and looked to be on their way to a blowout, but the Crows fought back with four goals of their own in quick succession.

CROWS v DEMONS Full match coverage and stats

The Dees manage to arrest the Crows’ momentum, booting two more goals to take a seven-point lead into the first break.

The Crows narrowed the gap during the second, with only one point separating the two sides at half time.

But just like they’ve done so many times before, Melbourne showed its class, keeping the Crows at bay during the third quarter and adding three goals of their own to take a 13-point lead into the final change.E

The Crows continued to threaten, but the Dees didn’t let up, booting five goals in the final term to cruise to victory.

More to come