ADELAIDE showed patches of its best form on Saturday night according to coach Don Pyke, after holding off an in-form Brisbane at the Gabba to keep the club’s finals hopes alive.

The game was played at breakneck speed early, but after an inaccurate first quarter the Crows took control of the match in the second and third terms to lead by 22 points heading into the final quarter.

But with Lachlan Murphy and Tom Doedee off due to concussion Adelaide did just enough to edge the fast-finishing Lions by five points.

CROWS A FINALS SHOT Full match coverage and stats

When asked if his team was starting to play its best footy, Pyke said it was showing it in patches.

"Since the bye I think we've played, with the exception of maybe the Richmond game, we've shown some real signs about how we want to play," Pyke said

"Not just in the way we move the ball, but our pressure overall has been the thing which has stood out.

"We've been able to force some turnovers more frequently than we were, say, in the first part of the year."

Pyke said it was pleasing to win in such a hard-fought manner, with the race for a top-eight spot meaning four points from the road trip was vital to the Crows' hopes of playing in September.

FLYIN' LIONS Five talking points

"It was a real arm wrestle all night," Pyke said.

"Think we got out to 20-odd points at one stage, but even then they sort of pegged it back immediately.

"We knew coming in they'd been in some really good form… we knew what they were capable of and we saw that tonight."

Pyke paid tribute to the hard work of Hugh Greenwood, who kicked a career-best four goal haul in the win

"When we first recruited Hugh he came in as a forward but… through the period of his time at the footy club (we've) sort of been able to develop him into a guy who is capable of winning his own ball and be pretty effective around the stoppage," Pyke said.

WATCH Don Pyke's full post-match press conference 

"But we know that he can play forward and we saw that tonight."

Pyke said Doedee and Murphy would go through the normal concussion protocols during the week and could be in contention for next round.

The Crows will also welcome back captain Taylor Walker from suspension.