ADELAIDE has surged into the top eight with a 105-point humiliation of the Brisbane Lions that has been soured by serious injuries to Andy Otten and Tom Lynch.
Forward target Lynch was taken to hospital for X-rays to his neck while defender Otten may require a second knee reconstruction after appearing to rupture his anterior cruciate ligament.
The club later confirmed Lynch had sustained a jarred neck and would be monitored throughout the week.
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Both were carried off the Gabba in the second quarter on a warm Brisbane day but the undermanned Crows hardly missed a beat in a second-half cakewalk.
The 25.18 (168) to 9.9 (63) victory means they leapfrog both Essendon and Gold Coast on the ladder, thanks to their strong percentage, reviving their hopes of hosting an elimination final in the process.
Ruckman Sam Jacobs was a star with 39 hit-outs and two goals to solidify his All Australian claims while the Crows' dangerous forward line enjoyed a day out.
Taylor Walker (six goals) and Eddie Betts (three goals and four assists) were constant thorns in the side of the Lions, delivering a sobering reality check to their rising defensive brigade.
Coach Brenton Sanderson had nothing but praise for his undermanned team.
"I know we often play a straight bat with good wins, but I’m so proud of our players today," he said.
"That’s one of the youngest Crows teams that’s ever played.
"I’m not sure if it’s the youngest, but we had nine players under 50 games experience today, we were down to two on the bench before half-time, and in this heat … to our players credit, they really just knuckled down and had a really big win, which is something that I’m really proud of."
Tom Rockliff was outstanding for the home side, with 40 disposals, 10 marks, 10 tackles and a goal to his credit. Stefan Martin worked hard in the ruck, managing 26 disposals to go with his 30 hit-outs.
After limiting their past five opponents to just 66 points per game, the Lions' backmen were embarrassed in front of a crowd of 19,657.
Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said his team took a step back after successive wins.
"We were bullied today," he said.
"The last quarter-and-a-half they really decided to kill us as opposed to ease up on us, which made the scoreboard blow out.
"We're going to have games where our energy level dips but we can't have our competitive nature drop as well, that was probably the most disappointing part."
Adelaide's midfield, outplayed by West Coast in last week's loss and without Scott Thompson (hamstring), was dominant after the home side made a sparkling start to kick three of the first four goals.
Jacobs quickly got them on top by dominating the stoppages, while Rory Sloane (28 disposals and two goals) was also integral to their charge to a 44-point half-time lead.
Lynch had also impressed with two goals before he ducked his head into Justin Clarke's hip, and play was stopped for six minutes while he was being treated with supreme caution by medical staff.
The stretcher returned to the field soon after when Otten fell awkwardly in a two-on-one marking contest.
Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson had been worried about the heat on a 25-degree sunny Brisbane day and made an unsuccessful request for a lift in the interchange cap.
But he ultimately had little to worry about as his players, full of run, enjoyed the club's biggest-ever win over the Lions.
The Crows had 13 individual goal-scorers and slotted nine final-term majors to further embarrass the Lions.
Dayne Zorko gets a handball away under pressure from Matthew Jaensch. Picture: AFL Media
BRISBANE LIONS 4.0 6.3 7.7 9.9 (63)
ADELAIDE 6.3 12.11 16.14 25.18 (168)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Crisp 3, Green 2, Mayes, Rockliff, Zorko, McStay
Adelaide: Walker 6, Martin 3, Betts 3, Jacobs 2, Sloane 2, Lynch 2, Lyons, Wright, Jaensch, Cameron, Jenkins, Dangerfield, Grigg
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff, Hanley, Martin, Zorko, Crisp
Adelaide: Jacobs, Wright, Sloane, Walker, Betts, Crouch, Lyons
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Adelaide: Lynch (head), Otten (knee)
SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane Lions: Marco Paparone replaced Justin Clarke at half-time
Adelaide: Mitch Grigg replaced Tom Lynch in the second quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Bannister, Stephens, Mollison
Official crowd:19,657 at the Gabba
