Adelaide has re-claimed its spot in the top eight after withstanding the challenge of a wasteful Brisbane to secure a 17-point victory in slippery conditions at Adelaide Oval on Sunday evening.
The result ended the Lions' seven-game winning streak, with the visitors left to rue kicking 1.9 from 19 inside 50s in the third term when they closed within a goal, only for the Crows to pull away to triumph 14.11 (95) to 10.18 (78) and move up to seventh on the ladder.
Izak Rankine was outstanding with 23 disposals and a team-high 16 contested possessions, three goal assists and two majors including a Goal of the Year contender.
Taylor Walker, who returned after being managed last week, booted three goals including two directly from Rankine assists in Adelaide's six-goal run either side of quarter-time.
Adelaide's defence was stubborn given Brisbane won the inside 50 count 66-47, with Nick Murray keeping Joe Daniher to only two last-quarter goals from eight touches. Charlie Cameron finished with four goals, despite rookie Max Michalanney keeping him to eight disposals.
The Lions' method was left wanting at times, too often kicking aimlessly long, while the Crows were happy to possess the ball, winning disposals 356-316 mainly led by 190-144 uncontested possessions.
Lachie Neale tried hard for Brisbane, with 26 disposals and a game-high 11 clearances but his influence was quelled to an extent by Keays' close watch.
The Lions dominated early, eventually converting their 13th inside 50 for their first goal with a long-range Daniel Rich bomb on his return from a calf injury.
Ex-Crow Cameron slipped a Jake Soligo tackle in the pocket for Brisbane's third, only for Adelaide to respond with two majors from Riley Thilthorpe before quarter-time. Thilthorpe's second came from a high mark, helped by a 50m penalty against Lions co-captain Harris Andrews for a gut punch on Darcy Fogarty on the goal line.
Brisbane wasn’t helped by some careless turnovers leading to Adelaide goals, but stayed within 11 points at half-time following goals from Dayne Zorko and Cameron.
The Lions dominated territory for most of the third, yet only had Hugh McCluggage's goal to show for it. Adelaide made Brisbane pay for their wastefulness, after a tense 20 goalless minutes, with Ned McHenry slotting from the goal square before Rachele threaded the needle from a tight angle.
Daniher kicked his first of the game to cut the margin to nine points early in the last, but the Crows settled the contest with the next three, with Rachele unselfishly finding Soligo, before majors from Luke Pedlar and Walker. Rankine booted a late goal to seal best afield honours.
ADELAIDE 3.3 7.7 10.8 14.11 (95)
BRISBANE 3.5 5.8 6.17 10.18 (78)
GOALS
Adelaide: Walker 3, Thilthorpe 2, Pedlar 2, Rankine 2, Keays, Fogarty, McHenry, Rachele, Soligo
Brisbane: Cameron 4, Daniher 2, Rich, Rayner, Zorko, McCluggage
BEST
Adelaide: Rankine, Keays, Laird, Dawson, Murray, O'Brien
Brisbane: Neale, Cameron, Zorko, Bailey, Rayner, Rich
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Brisbane: Nil
LATE CHANGES
Adelaide: Brodie Smith (back) replaced in selected by side by Ned McHenry
Brisbane: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Patrick Parnell (replaced Josh Worrell in fourth quarter)
Brisbane: James Madden (replaced Jack Gunston in fourth quarter)
Crowd: TBC at Adelaide Oval
