Adelaide are officially in freefall after unheralded Fremantle forward Brennan Cox booted four goals to lift the Dockers to a shock three-point win at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

The Crows unleashed a six-goals-to-nil second quarter to take a 12-point lead into halftime.

But Fremantle regained their composure after the main break, with Cox booting 4.0 from 19 disposals to lift his team to the 10.11 (71) to 9.14 (68) win in front of 33,421 fans.

Adelaide forward Eddie Betts (2.6) had a rare off day in front of goal, but some of his shots were from difficult angles.

Three losses on the trot has left Adelaide one game adrift of eighth spot.

Last year’s grand finalists are in the midst of a horror injury crisis, and now face an uphill battle to launch an assault on the premiership.

Both sides entered the match in horrible form and nursing long injury lists.

The Crows were without Rory Sloane, Rory Laird, Tom Lynch, Riley Knight, Brad Crouch, Mitch McGovern and Brodie Smith.

Fremantle, who had lost five of their past six matches, were missing key players such as Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands, Brad Hill, Stephen Hill, and Matt Taberner.

And the Dockers were dealt a late and unusual blow when youngster Taylin Duman was forced out after injuring his back while getting out of his car at the stadium.

Fremantle veteran Michael Walters faces a nervous wait after being reported for headbutting Tom Doedee in the dying minutes.

He’ll also be under scrutiny for an incident that happened just seconds earlier, when he punched Jake Kelly in the stomach.

Adelaide defender Luke Brown was on crutches before the end of the match after rolling his left ankle in the final term.

Crows skipper Taylor Walker finished with 1.2 from 11 disposals in his first match back since round eight.

Heavy rain was forecast for the match, but it never eventuated, with sunshine greeting the players.