A slimmed-down Petracca was in Melbourne's on-ball mix - and at the heart of everything good for the Demons - in a see-sawing, wind-affected contest at Casey Fields.

Out of contract at season's end, the explosive midfielder had 10 possessions - including nine contested - in a superb opening quarter.

Petracca maintained that intensity, finishing the day with 38 disposals and three goals in a match-winning performance.

The Demons kicked with the wind in the first quarter and took a 12-point lead into the first break. Adelaide snatched an 11-point halftime lead but Melbourne regained the ascendancy in the third quarter and never gave it up from there.

Former skipper Nathan Jones snagged three majors before limping off in the third term while Tom McDonald and ex-Bomber Mitch Brown also kicked three.

Petracca was well supported by Clayton Oliver (31 disposals) and Jack Viney (25), while recruit Ed Langdon had 19 touches and impressed with his run and carry.

Melbourne draftee Kysaiah Pickett enjoyed an eye-catching second-quarter cameo, snapping a clever goal off the outside of his boot.

In their first hit-out under Matthew Nicks, the Crows looked to utilise short kicking and clever ball movement - albeit in difficult conditions.

Adelaide's usual performers - Wayne Milera (29 touches), Brad Crouch (30) and Matt Crouch (27) had plenty of the ball, though the latter could come under scrutiny for a high elbow on Oliver in the third term.

Crows big man Reilly O'Brien (13 touches, 31 hitouts) was strong in the ruck, asserting himself at stoppages and around the ground.

Ben Davis and recruit Ben Crocker chipped in with two goals apiece in a forward line missing ex-captain Taylor Walker.

Melbourne's Bayley Fritsch (sick) sat out the game while Adelaide went in unchanged - though Rory Sloane and Rory Laird played limited minutes, given their involvement in the bushfire appeal game.

Australian Associated Press