The Adelaide Crows have shown their class in a dominant third quarter, pulling away from a young Brisbane Lions team to win their last pre-season match by 39 points.
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Final score
Adelaide Crows 1.20.13 (142)
Brisbane Lions 1.15.4 (103)
The Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions will face off in the final round of the JLT Community Series. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:10pm (AEDT).
After just three victories in the 2016 season new head coach Chris Fagan has the Lions roaring again, starting 2017 on a positive note.
Having won half of their matches – one of which came against the reigning premiers (Western Bulldogs) – the strides Brisbane have made both on and off the field are obvious.
The only caveat here though, is that it is still only pre-season, the Lions have played two games and the Bulldogs team they beat had only nine players from the premiership winning side.
Nonetheless the initial signs for the once powerhouse club have been promising.
Newly appointed captain Dayne Beams was solid in last week’s outing, finishing his first game since a knee operation with 24 disposals.
The former Collingwood star showed why the Brisbane midfield could be a much-improved unit in 2017, with the Lions looking far more organised around stoppages and clean with their ball distribution.
In their last JLT hit-out, the Lions will have another chance to play a finals team from 2016 as they travel to Noarlunga to face the Crows.
Like Brisbane, Adelaide also won their first match of the pre-season against Geelong last week, despite missing many of their star players.
With the likes of Rory Sloane, Brad Crouch and Scott Thompson all questionable for the Crows’ Round 1 fixture against the GWS Giants, coach Don Pyke would have been pleased to see Curtly Hampton and Rory Atkins thrive in the midfield.
In team news, Adelaide will welcome back some forward firepower with Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins and Mitch McGovern all returning to the lineup, while midfielder Dean Gore will be left out after suffering a concussion last week.
For the Lions, No.3 draft pick Hugh McCluggage will miss up to four weeks after injuring his ankle in last week’s match at Etihad Stadium. In his place No.24 pick Cedric Cox has been named in the 27-man squad along with swingman Daniel McStay and defender Ryan Harwood.
Prediction
Brisbane will field a near full-strength outfit against the Crows and should be more than competitive in the midfield.
However, with Adelaide’s returning goal kickers the young Brisbane defence may be too overwhelmed to stop a Crows victory.
Adelaide by 19 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:10pm (AEDT).
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
The Adelaide Crows have shown their class in a dominant third quarter, pulling away from a young Brisbane Lions team to win their last pre-season match by 39 points. After being rested last week against Geelong, Josh Jenkins was in the action immediately booting three first quarter goals, including one shot which should have been ruled a super goal. Along with fellow forwards Mitch McGovern and Taylor Walker, the Crows scored freely racking up a six-goal opening quarter. The Lions hit back in the second quarter, going goal for goal with the Crows. An improved effort in the centre, which saw Brisbane score four of their six goals from centre clearances and an 11-disposal quarter from captain Dayne Beams held the Crows in check heading into the major break. The Crows pulled away in a dominant third quarter with 10 shots at goal compared to the Lions two. Adelaide shred the young Lions with quick ball movement at one stage going at 100% efficiency through the corridor. With the game all but over at three quarter time, Adelaide decided to rest some of their key players removing captain Taylor Walker from the match, while also isolating Sam Jacobs at full forward and inserting Riley O’Brien into the ruck. To Brisbane’s credit, sensing a drop off in intensity from their opponent the Lions won the last quarter kicking six goals to Adelaide’s three and added some respectability to the final margin. Young key forward Eric Hipwood was particularly impressive kicking two goals on All-Australian defender Daniel Talia. Most importantly, both teams escaped the last pre-season game unscathed injury wise, although midfielder Matt Crouch was lucky to not suffer any damage to his shoulder after a chicken wing tackle. The trio of Josh Jenkins, Mitch McGovern and Taylor Walker were dominant up forward for the Crows kicking 12 goals between them. Both Rory Laird and Atkins were also impressive through the middle, racking up 30 disposals each. For the Lions, captain Dayne Beams was outstanding in his second game back from knee surgery gathering 35 disposals and 8 clearances. Small forward Tom Bell also chipped in with three goals and 17 disposals. With the pre-season now done and dusted for both clubs, the Lions will begin preparations for the Q-Clash in round one while Adelaide will get set to host the GWS Giants at Ade
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
For the Lions, skipper Dayne Beams had another strong outing, gathering 35 disposals, while Tom Bell was opportunistic in front of goal kicking three to go along with his 17 disposals.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Final siren sounds and the Crows have won a very high scoring match by 39 points. Adelaide's forward line was on fire with McGovern, Jenkins and Taylor Walker kicking 12 goals between them. Credit to the Lions who stuck it out till the end and prevented a blow out. Adelaide Crows 1.20.13 (142) Brisbane Lions 1.15.4 (103)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Brodie Smith floats down to the forward 50 but can't convert a shot from 40m out. The sting has gone out of this game, only a minute remaining. BEHIND CROWS Adelaide Crows 1.20.13 (142) Brisbane Lions 1.15.3 (102)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Hammelmann gets on to the end of a Daniel Rich kick, and kicks his second goal running into an open goal square. GOAL LIONS Adelaide Crows 1.20.12 (141) Brisbane Lions 1.15.3 (102)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
You got to love Betts. Receives the handball 40m out from goal, fakes left and a few steps later fakes right before snapping over his head from 35m out to kick his third of the day. GOAL CROWS Adelaide Crows 1.20.12 (141) Brisbane Lions 1.14.3 (96)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
This will please a lot of Brisbane fans. The ball is put out in front of Talia and Hipwood who are in hot pursuit of the ball. The bounces awkwardly for Talia allowing Hipwood to gather the ball and then sprint away from the All Australian full back to slot his second goal. GOAL LIONS Adelaide Crows 1.19.11 (134) Brisbane Lions 1.14.2 (95)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Opportunistic goal for Brisbane, as Talia fumbles the ball on the goal line allowing Hammelmann to collect the ball and kick his first of the match. GOAL LIONS Adelaide Crows 1.19.11 (134) Brisbane Lions 1.13.2 (89)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Quick hands from the Lions inside their forward 50 gets Barret a few meters of free space, allowing the small forward to slot the goal from 30m out. GOAL LIONS Adelaide Crows 1.19.11 (134) Brisbane Lions 1.12.2 (83)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Another simple one for Eddie who once again waltz's into an open goal square for his second. GOAL CROWS Adelaide Crows 1.19.11 (134) Brisbane Lions 1.11.2 (77)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Good leap from Hipwood, taking a strong contested mark over Talia. After a shocking set shot in third, Hipwood kicks truly from 15m out on a tight angle. GOAL LIONS Adelaide Crows 1.18.11 (128) Brisbane Lions 1.11.2 (77)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Good run and carry from Atkins finds Betts 40m out after a good lead. Betts hands off to Jenkins who attempts a super goal from 55m out and splits the middle. SUPER GOAL CROWS Adelaide Crows 1.18.11 (128) Brisbane Lions 1.10.2 (71)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Nice moment for the Lions as Cedric Cox marks in the goal square and kicks his first goal at the top level. Well done. GOAL LIONS Adelaide Crows 0.18.11 (119) Brisbane Lions 1.10.2 (71)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
This is the Crows at their best after hurting Brisbane after a turnover. Jenkins chips a kick to Betts who taps it through from the goal square. GOAL CROWS Adelaide Crows 0.18.11 (119) Brisbane Lions 1.9.2 (65)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Pinpoint accuracy from McGovern to find Jenkins amidst about 3-4 Lions players. Jenkins is unable to kick his 5th from 40m out on a slight angle. BEHIND CROWS Adelaide Crows 0.17.11 (113) Brisbane Lions 1.9.2 (65)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Fourth quarter gets underway with a Lions clearance. Looks like the Crows have out an end to Walker's day. Smart move.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Siren sounds to end the 3rd quarter. The crows dominated in that quarter with 10 shots at goal compared to the Lions 2. Adelaide lead by 47 with one to go.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Atkins has a ping at a supergoal from 55m out but it fades late for a behind. BEHIND CROWS Adelaide Crows 0.17.10 (112) Brisbane Lions 1.9.2 (65)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Superb tackle from Alex Keath deep in his own forward line and is rewarded with a holding the ball decision. Advantage is paid and after a nice fake, Menzel can't kick the goal from 10m on an acute angle. BEHIND CROWS Adelaide Crows 0.17.9 (111) Brisbane Lions 1.9.2 (65)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Another great contested mark from McGovern who gets on the end of a good 45m pass from Matt Crouch. Kicks truly from 30m out on a slight angle for his fourth. GOAL CROWS Adelaide Crows 0.17.8 (110) Brisbane Lions 1.9.2 (65)