Coach Justin Leppitsch and fans back home must have surely thought the Brisbane Lions were on the cusp of another big upset as they led the Crows late in the first quarter.
t was brilliant stuff. Then, bang, game over, as Adelaide kicked the next 10 goals, including 8.1 to nothing in a stunning second term.
Ultimately, it was not an unfamiliar story for Brisbane in their 87-point loss; a total collapse after looking so composed and working the ball so nicely early simply added to the complexities of this game as to how quickly things can change.
Adelaide had taken 47 disposals to kick their first goal, and were basically very ordinary – almost as if they thought the continuation of the demolition of Essendon the previous week would happen automatically.
Basically, it took an awful wobbly left foot snap goal from a pack by Matt Crouch from 25 metres to stimulate the Crows, and further boost their percentage. It was all about hard work, which is hardly new, and this was the most disappointing thing about Brisbane's inept performance.
The Crows had 15 players with fewer than six disposals that first quarter including Patrick Dangerfield – in his 150th game – with three having been well held by Mitch Robinson, and other usual ball magnets Richard Douglas and Scott Thompson with one each.
Overall, Brisbane had 47 more disposals in the first term, but by half-time Adelaide led the count by four and their midfield trio had 28 between them.
However, as powerful as the Crows responded to a good early challenge, yet again this season they started poorly. Should they make the finals, they will hardly get the chance to recover so easily. All finals sides thrive on hard work.
Apart from the obvious premiership points and percentage, Adelaide interim coach Scott Camporeale had every reason to be pleased with the continued progress of his young backline, tweaked this week with Sam Shaw, who desperately needs game time. It would be unfair to simply say Brisbane made it easy for the lads because, overall, they stood up exceptionally well; there wasn't a weak link, which was heartening in the immediate tougher tests.
Adelaide's bag of goals was also mixed, yet easily led by Taylor Walker, whose workrate and quality team play was impressive. He's back to his best, and enjoying his footy again.
Adding to this great night out was further evidence that Riley Knight is special. In just his seventh game, he was classy and damaging, and most of all made good, quick decisions. Rory Atkins, in his fifth game, also showed he has a lot of ability. It wasn't as if Brisbane had all the kids in this game.
The Crows were also buoyed by the brilliance shown by a host of their reserves players in the local league, including James Podsiadly, who is approaching his 34th birthday, and reminded us he is still around with nine goals.
While there was a lot to like about Adelaide after quarter-time, Brisbane at least showed character by making the task tougher in the third quarter. Their smaller brigade, which has generally led their scoring this season, was threatening at times, especially through Dane Zorko and Tom Rockliff. They finished with swags of disposals – remarkable efforts considering the difference on the scoreboard.
The problem was, they didn't have enough teammates capable of maintaining the pressure on the ball after the first term, and also not helping the team's progression beyond this game was the growing lack of discipline.
Sure, Brisbane showed very encouraging signs early, but the ease in which Adelaide seized control of this game and ultimately demolished them suggests the Lions still have a long way to go. As cruel as it may sound, it was hardly a performance that would encourage those unsure about their future to stick around.
ADELAIDE 2.3 10.4 14.6 20.11 (131) BRISBANE LIONS 3.3 3.3 6.5 6.8 (44)
Goals: Adelaide: T Walker 7, E Betts 3, J Lyons 2, R Atkins 2, C Cameron, J Jenkins, M Crouch, P Dangerfield, R Douglas, R Sloane. Brisbane Lions: A Christensen 2, J Freeman 2, D McStay, S Martin.
BEST: Adelaide: Jacobs, Walker, Sloane, Lynch, Smith, Henderson. Brisbane: Zorko, Rockliff, Redden, Robinson, Martin, Christensen.
Injuries: Adelaide: L Brown (foot).
Umpires: Ben Ryan, Shane McInerney, Nick Brown.
Official Crowd: 47,527 at Adelaide Oval.
