It took a high-flying Michael Walters to mark spectacularly push the Dockers clear in a 8.6 (54) to 4.10 (34) win on the Gold Coast littered by errors from both sides.

The small forward leapt above three defenders and secured the mark with his second grab on the way down, kicking straight to put Fremantle ahead by 13 points inside the final 10 minutes.

Darcy Tucker then kicked his second, running hard to be the man on the end of a full-field sequence as the Dockers stretched out their one-point final-quarter lead.

It was first-year coach and former player Longmuir's maiden win, ending a run of four straight losses despite the absence of injured captain Nat Fyfe and extending the pain for the winless Crows.

"We've done a lot of heavy lifting but all our staff have been so positive and trying to constantly improve, so they deserve this," the coach said.

"We couldn't have asked for much more in that last quarter."

Adelaide had their chances but continually erred off the boot, adding frustrations for first-year coach Matthew Nicks hours after The Age reported more detail of their now-infamous 2018 training camp.

The Crows had kicked 1.8 midway through the third term but finally straightened up with three goals to draw level approaching the final break.

Billy Frampton was first with a much-needed snap before Tom Lynch obliged when the ball cleared the pack, and then the exciting Shane McAdam kicked his first AFL goal into the carpark from point-blank range.

Among the Dockers' best along with Andrew Brayshaw, David Mundy missed a set shot on the siren to give the Dockers a one-point lead with one quarter to play.

But a goal to Matt Taberner and then Walters' highlight-reel moment were enough to separate them from the Crows on the bottom of the ladder.

The Crows' kicking efficiency was just 58 per cent in the first quarter, their day summed up when Frampton's rare, inch-perfect pass to Taylor Walker sailed over his head when the sun caught his eye.

"It wasn't only shots on goal, it was kicking efficiency all over the ground, handballs, the fundamentals," Nicks said.

"That's probably the most concerning part ... some of our older guys are struggling to do it.

"We found a way not to get it done unfortunately."

The Dockers will await details on the fitness of Reece Conca, who left the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury that will require scans.

Australian Associated Press