ADELAIDE has recorded its second win of the season, holding off the out-of-form Brisbane Lions to win by 12 points at AAMI Stadium. 
 
The Crows responded to the disappointment of last weekend’s loss to North Melbourne with an impressive five-goal first quarter, but were forced to tough the game out when the Lions hit the lead late in the third term.
 
The Lions had several chances to level the scores early in the final quarter, but failed to convert and Adelaide piled on four unanswered goals with the aid of the breeze to secure the much-needed win 13.15 (93) to 11.15 (81).
 
Young forward Taylor Walker was the hero for the home side, with two final-quarter goals including a long-range bomb from inside the centre square.
 
Richard Douglas (three goals) and Patrick Dangerfield (three goals) also enjoyed the wet conditions, while veteran Andrew McLeod ignited his side with two classy goals in the opening term.
 
Controversial Lions full-forward Brendan Fevola defied speculation over his fitness by kicking five goals, but skipper Jonathan Brown appeared restricted by an abdominal injury and had little impact on the game. 
 
After the game Lions coach Michael Voss defended his decision to play the labouring Brown, saying the burly forward was simply lacking touch.
 
“Browny hasn’t trained for the last month. He’s struggling a little bit with his body, but then Fevola comes out and kicks five and he is in the same situation if not a little bit behind Browny. They’re going alright. Browny just didn’t have a good day,” Voss said.
 
Adelaide tagger Brent Reilly (21 possessions and five clearances) had a solid game opposed to Brownlow Medallist Simon Black, while Nathan van Berlo (29 possessions and five inside 50s), Scott Thompson (27 possessions and five clearances) and Dangerfield were also instrumental.
 
Ash McGrath (31 possessions and six inside 50s), Todd Banfield (two goals and eight tackles) and Daniel Rich (26 possessions and 1.2) were among the Lions’ best players, while defender Jed Adcock impressed before tweaking his troublesome ankle.
 
The win came after a nightmare week for the Crows, who were reeling from a disappointing performance against North Melbourne and the suspension of three players - Bernie Vince, Graham Johncock and Matthew Jaensch - for breaching training and preparation standards.
 
Coach Neil Craig said the events of the week were significant in his side’s spirited effort on Sunday.
 
“We were 1-7 and coming off that sort of result against North Melbourne, it would’ve been very easy for the leadership group to turn a blind eye to that [behaviour],” Craig said.
 
“The way the week panned out for whatever reason it did ...I just love the courage that they showed and it’s amazing how it spills over on to the ground as well.”
 
The Lions’ fourth straight loss sends them plummeting to 11th place on the ladder, with games against Collingwood and North Melbourne in the coming fortnight. The Crows remain in 15th spot and will take on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium next week.

Adelaide  5.3  6.9  9.12  13.15 (93)
Brisbane Lions 2.2  6.5  9.11  11.15 (81)

GOALS
Adelaide: Douglas 3, Dangerfield 3, McLeod 2, Walker 2, Porplyzia, Tippett, Gunston
Brisbane Lions: Fevola 5, Banfield 2, McGrath 2, Rich, Sherman

BEST
Adelaide: van Berlo, Douglas, Rutten, Thompson, Reilly, Dangerfield
Brisbane Lions: McGrath, Banfield, Rich, Fevola, Sherman, Leuenberger
 
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Brisbane Lions: Nil
 
Reports: Nil
 
Umpires: Grun, Nicholls, Meredith
 
Official crowd: 31,517 at AAMI Stadium

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL.