JACK Redden had 29 possessions, while Tom Rockliff had 26, but it was not enough as the Lions came up short against Adelaide in Alice Springs on Saturday night.

First-time captain Patrick Dangerfield was brilliant as the Crows ran out 51-point winners at Traeger Park.

Dangerfield was a man on a mission from the opening bounce, racking up 32 possessions and showcasing his trademark attack on the ball to an appreciative crowd.

Wonder kid Brad Crouch made a promising debut, collecting 13 disposals before being subbed off at three quarter-time, while Chris Knights and, particularly, Jason Porplyzia made impressive returns from injury.

It was a tight opening quarter with neither side struggling to penetrate their half forward lines.

The defensive lines of both teams were getting a workout, with the Lions' Matt Muguire rebounding well, while for the Crows the likes of Daniel Talia, Graham Johncock, Andy Otten, Ricky Henderson and Sam Shaw linked nicely.

The Crows took control of the midfield in the second quarter and their defensive unit remained rock solid, keeping the Lions scoreless.

Dangerfield continued his assault and was well supported by Richard Douglas, who was subbed off at the long break with 12 touches.

The Lions' Mitchell Golby was finding plenty of the ball, as was Redden, but it was Adelaide clearly dominating as they entered the main break 34-points up.

It was the Lions who began the second half roaring though, pegging one goal back before veteran Ashley McGrath unleashed from outside 50 to deliver the game's first - and only - supergoal.

But with relentless pressure and a defence firing on all cylinders, the Crows hit back with goals to Petrenko, Lynch and Kerridge to enter the final break with a 38-point lead.

Adelaide pulled away further in the last quarter, as both sides tired on a deck soaked from days of heavy rainfall.

The Lions managed a few conciliation goals in the fourth, but were still out scored by the Crows who leave Alice Springs with three NAB Cup wins from as many games.

ADELAIDE          3.2    7.4    10.6     14.9 (93)
BRISBANE             2.0    2.0    1.3.2    1.5.3  (42)

GOALS
Adelaide: Lynch, Jenkins McKernan 2, Vince, Knights, Walker, Petrenko, Douglas, Sloane, Callinan, McIntyre
Brisbane: Rockliff, Beams, Bewick, McGrath (supergoal), Polec, Polkinghorne

BEST
Adelaide: Dangerfield, Johncock, McKernan, Jenkins, Lynch, Sloane
Brisbane: Maguire, Redden, Rockliff, Golby, Stiller, Polkinghorne

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Brisbane: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Jacob Mollison, Matthew Leppard, David Harris

Official crowd: 4,756