Adelaide’s Brazilian striker Cristiano was sent off after 10 minutes for a clumsy elbow to the head of an opposing defender.

Melbourne striker Danny Allsopp was shown the red card 20 minutes before fulltime after a late fracas but his team held on to secure the title.

“It was a great performance. Adelaide were great, they pushed us right to the death but I think we deserved it,” Melbourne captain Kevin Muscat said.

Adelaide were humiliated 6-0 by Melbourne in the grand final two years ago but captain Travis Dodd praised his team for their performance this time.

“Down to 10 men it was a very difficult game for us but the amount of courage and heart the boys showed tonight to get through the game and keep fighting to the end was fantastic.

I couldn’t ask any more,” he said.