BRISBANE has consolidated its spot in the top four with an emphatic but hard-fought 52-point win over Adelaide on Saturday.        

The Lions struggled to put away their less-fancied opponents for much of the contest, but eventually overpowered the Crows with eight of the last nine goals of the match to win 17.9 (111) to 8.11 (59) at Adelaide Oval.

CROWS v LIONS Full match coverage and stats

The visitors were led by Zac Bailey – who starred with three goals, nine clearances and 26 touches – and a ferocious Jarryd Lyons who finished with 31 disposals and 10 tackles.

Rory Laird was at his prolific best for the Crows (37 disposals), while Paul Seedsman was busy with 2.2 from 21 touches.

Brisbane dominated the territory battle early in the match, but Adelaide’s immense pressure made it difficult for the Lions to score until Dayne Zorko capitalised on an errant Crows’ handball deep inside 50 to kick the opening goal.  

The Crows soon got on top in the clearances and started to turn the tide, kicking two of the next three goals through Taylor Walker and Paul Seedsman.

Lincoln McCarthy then bobbed up with a goal late in the quarter to give Brisbane a nine-point lead at the first break.

Youngster Riley Thilthorpe got the Crows off to the perfect start in the second term, converting from a strong mark on the goal line.                 

From there the quarter developed into an arm wrestle, with neither team able to score until Zac Bailey kicked a classy running goal from a forward stoppage.

Just when Brisbane looked to be getting on top, a late goal to David Mackay cut the Brisbane lead to eight points at half-time. 

Things began to open up in the third term, with seven goals kicked by the mid-point of the quarter.

Willed on by a vocal Adelaide Oval crowd, the young Crows refused to wilt and placed enormous pressure on the Lions every time they threatened to take control of the contest. 

Eventually, Brisbane’s class began to shine through, with late third-term goals to Bailey and Zorko finally giving the Lions some breathing space.

By the time Hugh McCluggage kicked a classy goal to open the final quarter, the lead had grown to 30 points and the Adelaide resistance was over.  

Walker injury further sours loss

Taylor Walker has been a revelation this season and was all smiles earlier this week after re-signing with the Crows for next year. But he could be facing some time on the sidelines after a nasty collision in the second quarter. Walker was hurt after he slid at pace towards a contest and his head collided with the hip of Daniel Rich. The veteran struggled to get up after the incident and went down into the rooms. He was subbed out of the game at half time with a neck strain. 

Daniher showcases his agility

He may be 201cm, but Joe Daniher is far from the average lumbering big man. Late in the second term, Daniher hit the deck attempting to pick up a tumbling ball inside 50. But the star forward quickly stood up and in a flash had snapped the ball forward through the goals. It was another impressive reminder of the magic that Daniher brings to Brisbane’s forward line when he’s at his best.

Zac Bailey proves a class above  

When the game was in the balance in the third term, with the Lions just 12 points up, it was Zac Bailey who stood up and stamped his authority on the game. The youngster took the ball from a stoppage, danced around a Crows opponent, glided inside 50 and coolly slotted a classy running goal. His efforts helped spark the Lions, who proceeded to kick the next six goals of the match and put the game out of reach for the Crows.  

ADELAIDE   2.1    4.4      7.7      8.11 (59)
BRISBANE   3.4    5.6    11.7     17.9 (111)  

GOALS
Adelaide: Seedsman 2, Walker, Thilthorpe, Mackay, Schoenberg, Doedee, Sloane
Brisbane: McCarthy 4, Bailey 3, Cameron 3, Daniher 2, Zorko 2, McStay 2, McCluggage

BEST
Adelaide: Laird, Seedsman, Keays, Sloane, Schoenberg
Brisbane: Lyons, McCarthy, Bailey, Zorko, Robinson  

INJURIES
Adelaide: Walker (neck strain)
Brisbane: Neale (calf) replaced in selected side by Mathieson, McCluggage (finger)

SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Jackson Hately (replaced Walker)
Brisbane: Jaxon Prior (unused)         

Crowd: TBC at Adelaide Oval