RETIRING veteran Tyson Edwards has enjoyed a fairytale finish to his 321-game career, helping Adelaide to a gutsy 23-point win over in-form Fremantle at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

Edwards finished with 32 possessions and two goals in a near best-on-ground performance as the depleted Crows notched up just their third win of the season 16.9 (105) to 12.10 (82).

The Crows led by 23 points at half time, but a Matthew Pavlich-led revival saw Freo close to within six points early in the final quarter.

Adelaide, which lost Andrew McLeod and Phil Davis to injury in the first half, was expected to tire in the latter stages of the game, but crucial goals to youngsters Taylor Walker and Patrick Dangerfield saw the home side hold on for a famous win.

Walker booted four goals in an impressive four-quarter display, while Edwards, Dangerfield and tough midfielder Scott Thompson finished with two each.

FREMANTLE has continued its best ever start to a season and surged to outright second on the AFL ladder with an emphatic 61-point win over North Melbourne at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

Fremantle produced a devastating 10-goal third term, the equal best quarter of its history, and finished with 11 separate goalkickers to win 21.13 (139) to 11.12 (78).

The game was still in the balance at the start of the third term, with North 23 points adrift, before Fremantle went on an irresistible run to post its best score and biggest win of the season.

Fremantle moved the ball daringly through the corridor and went inside 50 15 times for 14 scoring results in the third term.  

Nat Fyfe, who backed up his NAB Rising Star nomination with 27 possessions and three goals, was a star in the second half, while David Mundy (31 possessions and six clearances) took charge in the centre square all day and was best afield.   

With Matthew Pavlich down on his usual best, rapidly improving utility Kepler Bradley stood up in the forward line, kicking four goals from his 21 possessions.

FREMANTLE may have shown resilience to defeat the Swans in the wake of Michael Johnson's arrest for cocaine possession, but coach Mark Harvey was in no mood to discuss the issue, cutting short his post-match press conference.

Harvey, who had yet to comment on the arrest and charge, initially answered reporters' questions about Johnson, but appeared increasingly frustrated by them as the interview drew on.

Harvey suggested the team dealt with the issue quickly to put it behind them, while praising Johnson's character.

"People can speculate as much as they like. We had a five or 10-minute meeting about it, then it was all about getting on the road to Sydney," he said.

"If you know the person which you (journalists) don't, he's got a lot of character."

However, when pressed for his own personal reaction to Johnson's arrest and subsequent charge, the Fremantle coach clammed up before ending the press conference.

"I'm not here to talk about that - we've moved on.

FREMANTLE has overcome a week of controversy and a 14-year hoodoo to restate its credentials as a genuine finals contender with a 37-point victory over the Sydney Swans at the SCG.

With skipper Matthew Pavlich leading the way, Fremantle booted six goals to two in the second quarter to set up a 14.16 (100) to 9.9 (63) victory - its first at the SCG since round 2, 1996.

Freo also overcome the loss of key tall Michael Johnson through suspension after the defender was charged with cocaine possession during the week.

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said the furore surrounding Johnson’s legal issues hadn’t distracted the team as it prepared for a crucial game.

“People can speculate as much as they like. We had a 5-10 minute meeting about it, then it was all about getting on the road to Sydney,” he said.

“We just forge ahead no matter what happens. It wasn't just that it was a couple of key injuries to key players. We won on the road, which we haven't been known for doing. We've done that three times now, which is significant.”