Brisbane Lions vs Adelaide Crows: AFL live scores, blog

The Brisbane Lions and the Adelaide Crows at the Gabba is an early season heavyweight bout between two rising sides.

Traditionally, three teams come in and out of the eight at the end of the season, and with both the Crows and Lions hoping to rise into finals this year, early wins against fellow quality sides are worth more than just the four points.

Join The Roar for live scores and blog from 2:10pm AEST.

Brisbane are coming off a hard-fought defeat at the hands of the Bulldogs in Ballarat at the same time as Adelaide won the Showdown in treacherous conditions.

Brownlow Medal favourite Lachie Neale will be the man to stop for the Crows as the priced Lion recruit is averaging 33 disposals, 7 clearances and a goal in season 2019.

Matt and Brad Crouch have been tremendous in the middle for Adelaide this year, collecting a lot of the ball but have come under the microscope for their impact on the contest.

Matt left the ground early last week in the Crows victory over the Power but has passed the test for his hip injury and will play this Saturday.

Many expected the Lions to rise the ladder and they currently sit in fifth, but on equal points as seventh. A loss will bring them back to the group fighting for the last spots in the eight early in the season.

For a young developing side, the change to stay ahead of the ledger and get a win at home is crucial.

Prediction
Perfect conditions are expected for Saturday in Brisbane which should ultimately result in some fast-paced football from two very exciting sides.

Although Adelaide are starting to hit their stride, a win four Brisbane could see them cement themselves as the real deal in 2019.

Brisbane by 21 points

Time: 2:10pm AEST
Venue: Gabba
TV: Fox Footy

Brisbane Lions
B Luke Hodge, Harris Andrews, Daniel Rich
HB Alex Witherden, Darcy Gardiner, Mitch Robinson
C Jarrod Berry, Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage
HF Cameron Rayner, Eric Hipwood, Lincoln McCarthy
F Charlie Cameron, Daniel McStay, Oscar McInerney
FO Stefan Martin, Dayne Zorko, Jarryd Lyons
INT Mitchell Hinge, Noah Answerth, Rhys Mathieson, Josh Walker
EM Archie Smith, Ryan Lester, Allen Christenson, Connor Ballenden

Adelaide Crows
B Alex Keath, Daniel Talia, Luke Brown
HB Jake Kelly, Kyle Hartigan, Rory Laird
C Brodie Smith, Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, David MacKay
HF Chayce Jones, Taylor Walker, Tom Lynch
F Eddie Betts, Eric Himmelburg, Hugh Greenwood
FO Reilly O’Brien, Brad Crouch, Rory Sloane
INT Rory Atkins, Matt Crouch, Jordan Gallucci, Lachlan Murphy
EM Paul Hunter, Riley Knight, Bryce Gibbs, Ned McHenry