Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has lauded his players' growing ability to withstand momentum shifts after a tense four-point win over Adelaide strengthened their grip on an AFL top-four spot.
The Demons led by 32 points during the third quarter and twice rode stirring fightbacks as the Crows, inspired by Taylor Walker's three-goal final term, threatened to pinch victory.
Kysaiah Pickett provided a spark and tough midfielder Jack Viney led from the front in a thrilling finish as Melbourne held firm in a 14.13 (97) to 13.15 (93) victory at the MCG on Sunday.
"I loved the way we responded," Goodwin said.
"You head into the last quarter and you know Adelaide are going to throw everything at you ... we were under enormous pressure.
"We've worked incredibly hard to have a group of players that are able to withstand those momentum shifts and then respond.
"Once again our players did it, which was fantastic."
The result gave Melbourne a two-game buffer over the fifth-placed Western Bulldogs and kept them within sight of the top two.
The Crows' third straight loss - a seventh defeat in eight interstate trips this year - left them in danger of dropping out of the finals race.
The fallout could yet become worse, with Izak Rankine (hamstring) and Nick Murray (knee) failing to finish the match.
Adelaide went down swinging, overcoming woeful inaccuracy from set shots to draw level early in the final quarter.
Melbourne substitute Joel Smith took a towering grab to set up a steadying goal and the Demons kicked three in a row before the Crows got back to within a kick with two minutes left to play.
Key defenders Adam Tomlinson and Jake Lever helped Melbourne thwart Adelaide's final two attacking thrusts with the game on the line.
"We just never give up and that's what makes me so proud of our group," Crows coach Matthew Nicks said.
"Two or three times it looked like the game was done and we just kept coming.
"We got back to even and it looked like it's done again but we still kept coming.
"Execution in the end is what cost us the game; in front of goal and then a little bit of execution of our game plan and being brave when we had to be under some really strong pressure from our opposition."
Pickett (20 disposals, 11 score involvements, two goals), Viney (27 disposals, five clearances) and Angus Brayshaw (25, eight) were outstanding for Melbourne.
Max Gawn (38 hit-outs, eight marks, two goals) was the most impactful big man on the ground, and recalled small forward Kade Chandler kicked three goals.
Taj Woewodin and Jake Melksham added two goals each for the Demons.
Walker finished with four and Rankine three for Adelaide, who were well served by Harry Schoenberg (23 touches, five clearances), Jordan Dawson (22, five) and veteran midfielder Matt Crouch (22, seven).
