The Crows and Lions have met 35 times, with Adelaide holding a narrow overall advantage, 18-17.

Four of the past five games between these two teams have been played at the Gabba. The Crows have won three of the matches on the road.

After a tough start to the season, the Brisbane Lions have now won five of their last nine games.

The past three matches between these teams have been decided by an average of 11 points.

Defence has been a key to Brisbane’s upturn in form. The Lions have the No.2 ranked defence in the last month. Their forward line is particularly good at forcing turnovers, ranked No.1 in forward 50m pressure in the last month and No.2 in time in forward half. The Brisbane defence is also more than capable, ranked first in intercept marks in the past month.

They are the best team in the League at preventing opposition marks and fourth best at preventing scores inside 50m since Round 11. They like to play a fast-paced game – ranked No.5 for playing on from marks and No.1 in marks on the lead in the past two months.

Lions ball magnet Tom Rockliff is averaging more possessions (30.7) than any player in the competition this season with the exception of dual Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett (32.1). Rockliff also has the highest average of tackles per match (9.1).

Since returning from a broken leg in Round 15, Rising Star runner-up Brad Crouch is ranked fifth in the AFL for total disposals (147) and eighth in clearances (31). His past three matches, where he’s averaged 31.6 touches and five tackles, have been particularly impressive.

Crouch made his AFL debut against the Lions at the Gabba in Round Two last season.

The Lions average fewer contested possessions (126.4) than any team in the League in 2014. They have the fifth-highest percentage of uncontested possessions.

The Crows average 13.7 goals per game this season (ranked fourth) compared to the Lions, who average 9.8 (ranked 16^th).

Livewire forward Josh Green leads Brisbane’s goalkicking (25) this season. Fellow dangerous smalls Dayne Zorko (15), Lewis Taylor (11) and Sam Mayes (10) are also in double figures.

Taylor Walker has kicked bags of four goals in two of his last three games against the Lions.

In-form Lions big man Stefan Martin has averaged more possessions (20.1) and clearances (4.5) in his eight games this season than any other ruckman. Crow Sam Jacobs, who has played every game, is averaging 16.7 disposals per match – ranked second.

Defensive duo and good mates Michael Doughy and Brent Reilly share the record for most possessions by a Crow in a game against the Brisbane Lions/Bears. Doughty amassed 38 touches against the Lions in Round 13, 2008, while Reilly achieved the same feat in Round 21, 2007.

Lions line-breaker Pearce Hanley is ranked eighth in the AFL for metres gained (7982). Crow Brodie Smith is second (10,255). Hanley has averaged 25.5 disposals and 6.8 marks in his past four games against the Crows.

The Crows are the only team with two players ranked top-10 in the League for contested possessions. Patrick Dangerfield is second (292) while Rory Sloane is 10^th (220).

Adelaide’s first quarter score against West Coast – 6.0 (36) – was its equal-highest opening term of the season.

Scott Thompson polled three Brownlow Medal votes in Adelaide’s Round Two win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba last season. Hanley attracted two votes, while Sloane received one.