A Jack Steele-inspired St Kilda has snapped its 10-game losing streak against Adelaide, but not without a late fright from the home side.

Adelaide drew to within nine points in the last term and earlier threatened to take the reins in the third after five straight shots on goal, before two final-quarter majors from Dean Kent steadied the ship to confirm the 8.7 (55) to 12.6 (78) result.

Steele was superb with 26 disposals (19 contested), 13 clearances and a goal while running alongside Brad Crouch, while a passionate and fiery Dougal Howard (16 disposals, seven marks, one goal) held down the defence when the situation turned hairy.

Howard's direct opponent in Taylor Walker (three goals) fought hard to bring the Crows into the contest, but Howard ultimately brought the highlight of the night with a running goal from the paint of the 50.

The Saints' small forward fleet in Jack Lonie, Kent and Dan Butler (three goals) all hit the scoreboard at crucial times, with their pace and forward-half pressure instrumental in the win, while Hunter Clark (16 disposals) came to the fore in the second half.

The 23-point win marks the club’s first ever victory at Adelaide Oval, as well as Brett Ratten’s first triumph away from Marvel Stadium as coach of the Saints. 

For the Crows, there was less to smile about after succumbing to their seventh consecutive loss of the season, but their late charge is bound to have instilled some hope in the faithful.

Stand-in skipper Tom Doedee was prolific in the defensive end to springboard the Crows into attack and help slice the 26-point margin at the main change.

But the Saints held their nerve under the pump to steer themselves to sixth position on the ladder.

Both sides brought the heat at the start of the game, with St Kilda's amplified efforts notable following last week's capitulation against Fremantle.

While clean ball movement was absent from the Saints and Crows early in the piece, Butler made amends for his first mis-kick to put through the first of the night for a third time.

The heated exchanges carried throughout the match, with Ben Keays (23 disposals) getting to know Jade Gresham (18 disposals, seven clearances) particularly well as the match wore on.

Josh Battle found himself as a casualty in the second quarter, but as a result of friendly fire, seeing him ruled out of the match with concussion.

Zak Jones exploded onto the scene after a blistering five-clearance opening quarter, while Nick Coffield was particularly strong on the last line of defence to end his night with seven marks and 18 disposals.

St Kilda had the chance to wrap the four points up throughout the second term as Steele, Howard and Max King (two goals) hit the scoreboard, before a Tom Lynch major in the final minute opened the door for a Crows' resurgence.

The hungry home side recognised the opportunity to break back into the game, but after dominating the inside-50 count and continuing to press the Saints' defence to its limits, only had the four behinds to show as reward.

Butler undid the Crows' hard work courtesy of an end-to-end play and clever tap over the shoulder from Jarryn Geary, before Shane McAdam capitalised after his earlier misses on the siren to slice the margin to under three kicks.

Kent's pivotal opening goal in the final term got the visitors back on the right note, before two Adelaide goals form McAdam and Walker minutes later saw tempers flare and the Saints' ideal result come in jeopardy. 

Ultimately, the Saints' strength around the stoppages came out on top when it mattered, with Paddy Ryder's (22 hit-outs) clean tapwork giving the Saints' mids every opportunity to break free of the Crows' pressure-grip.

Debutant Ryan Byrnes also showed good signs from his five touches, with a mark running back with the flight winning over the respect of his teammates.

St Kilda will be back at Adelaide Oval on Saturday to face Port Adelaide, but will return to its Noosa hub in-between games, while Adelaide will be searching for its first win of the year against Essendon on Sunday afternoon.

ADELAIDE  1.2  4.2  5.6  8.7 (55)
ST KILDA  3.2  7.4  8.4  12.6 (78)

GOALS
Adelaide: Walker 3, McAdam 2, Lynch, Keays, Laird
St Kilda: Butler 3, King 2, Kent 2, Gresham, Steele, Lonie, Howard, Membrey

BEST
Adelaide: Walker, Keays, Doedee, Talia, O'Brien
St Kilda: Steele, Howard, Jones, Ryder, Butler, Coffield, Clark

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
St Kilda: Battle (concussion)