The Crows led by two points at the final change, but in front of 29,964 fans the home team slammed on three goals in the first four minutes of the last quarter and never looked back.
In a see-sawing contest, the Lions ran out winners – 11.17 (83) to 10.10 (70).
Surprise forward target Mitch Clark (three goals) led the scoring and started the final quarter charge with a strong mark and clever snap from adjacent to the behind post.
When Jared Brennan and Robert Copeland added goals in the following two minutes, the Lions jumped out to a 16-point lead.
Jonathan Brown, Anthony Corrie and Copeland all kicked two goals for the victors, while Jason Porplyzia was the only multiple goalkicker for the Crows with two.
It was a gripping contest all night, with neither team able to get more than three goals in front.
Adelaide led by 15 points in the third term, but Brisbane's midfield eventually won the war with Luke Power putting in a sensational performance with 40 possessions.
The battle between Robert Shirley and Simon Black was a ding-dong affair, with Shirley keeping the Brownlow Medallist to just seven touches in the first half, before Black squared the ledger with a crucial 11-disposal third term.
Brennan was another star for the Lions, collecting 31 telling touches, most of them in the middle of the ground.
For the Crows, Michael Doughty (38 possessions) found plenty of the ball, while Tyson Edwards and Chris Knights were busy.
Ivan Maric got a scare in the third quarter when he went off with a knee injury after a centre bounce tangle with Jamie Charman, but returned to the game in the last quarter.
The tackling was ferocious, and both backlines were on top.
Ben Rutten had a fascinating duel with Brown, while at the other end Brett Burton had trouble shaking the attention of Joel Patfull.
Rutten probably had the better of the Lions spearhead, but it was not enough, while Nathan Bassett had 21 touches in his 200th game.
After trailing by four points at the first change, Adelaide booted four goals to one in the second quarter and appeared to be getting on top with a 12-point lead at the major break.
One of the first half highlights came via a spectacular effort by Porplyzia.
With a high ball seemingly destined to go out, Porplyzia never gave up and made a horizontal dive to mark just inches from the behind post.
He then stepped around and did the mark justice with a right foot snap and goal.
After a difficult first term, Andrew McLeod started breaking the Troy Selwood tag and racked up the possessions, including an inch-perfect pass to Maric for the final goal of the quarter.
The Crows also found goals through some unlikely targets, with both Richard Douglas and lively Nick Gill snapping cleverly.
Gill swivelled in traffic before snapping from 40m, while Douglas sold a clever dummy before swinging onto his right.
The Lions fought back in the third with three goals to two to reduce the margin to just two points at the last change.
For the Crows, an unlikely goal from defender Nathan Bock came when he snuck forward and kicked truly from 50m.
Brisbane Lions 3.3 4.7 7.14 11.17 (83)
Adelaide 2.5 6.7 8.10 10.10 (70)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Clark 3, Corrie 2, Brown 2, Copeland 2, Brennan, Notting
Adelaide: Porplyzia 2, Vince, Bock, Stevens, Burton, Maric, Gill, Jericho, Douglas
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Power, Brennan, McGrath, Charman, Clark
Adelaide: Shirley, Edwards, Doughty, Rutten, Knights, Vince
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: None
Adelaide: Maric (knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: James, Meredith, Ryan
Official crowd: 29,964 at the Gabba
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
