ADELAIDE has pulled off a huge come-from-behind victory against reigning premier Brisbane in a Friday night thriller, defeating the Lions by five points in wet and slippery conditions at Adelaide Oval.

In a low-scoring, high-pressure affair, the Crows kicked five unanswered goals in the final quarter to win 10.8 (68) to 8.15 (63).

CROWS v LIONS Full match coverage and stats

A huge mark and goal in the final term to Crows skipper Jordan Dawson, as well as goals to small forwards Ben Keays and Josh Rachele, sparked their side to victory, which was Adelaide's third straight.

Brisbane had its opportunities late, but Crows defenders Rory Laird, Mark Keane and Josh Worrell had some important moments late.

The damp conditions created a tight, physical contest with a number of players pulling up sore from big hits and tackles. 

A dangerous tackle from new Crow James Peatling on Brisbane's Lachie Neale saw the Brownlow medallist taken from the ground after he hit his head on the turf. The incident will no doubt be looked at by the Match Review Officer with the Brisbane co-captain leaving the ground for a period of time, only to return later in the quarter.

Scoring was initially difficult, with the intense tackle pressure and wet conditions contributing to missed opportunities in front of goal.

Finally, after a 20-minute armwrestle, former No.1 draft pick Cam Rayner broke the stalemate when he kicked the game's first, a running goal from 40 metres out. Shortly after, the in-form Callum Ah Chee followed with a goal of his own, making it two for the Lions in the quarter, while Adelaide went into quarter-time goalless.

After the break, the Crows finally got their first when a breakdown by Brisbane defenders saw dangerous forward Keays left standing all on his own at a stoppage inside 50.

But Brisbane had the answers, kicking the next three goals, when Rayner kicked his second and mids Zac Bailey and Hugh McCluggage converted, extending Brisbane's lead to a game-high 21 points. 

Rachele, who only had the one disposal in the first term, got involved in the second quarter when he applied some forward pressure of his own. The sharpshooter caught Noah Answerth holding the ball, and converted the set shot from long range right on the boundary, lifting the home crowd.

Crows veteran Taylor Walker, who was the most dangerous of the Crows key forwards, then kicked the next, reducing the margin to eight points at the main break, keeping the match well and truly alive.

The rain started to fall to start the second half, making the already difficult conditions even more so. But you'd never know the rain was pelting down when Rachele gathered from a boundary stoppage and snapped with ease for his second.

Charlie Cameron saw Rachele's goal and decided to kick a copy-cat effort shortly after, much to the frustration of the Adelaide home crowd

But the Crows didn't give in, when a fast break goal out the back to Luke Pedlar put the Crows within four points, but again Cameron had the answers, when he and Rayner combined for the quick reply, with Cameron kicking his second.  

The game was set up for a huge final term. Adelaide had the perfect start, kicking the first two quickly through big man Riley Thilthorpe, who had been threatening all night, and Keays got his second. 

Enter Dawson. In a huge moment in the game, a flying pack mark by Dawson and a subsequent goal got the Crows crowd to their feet, putting his side in front for the first time. The Crows extended their lead when Rachele and Keays both kicked their third goals. 

Brisbane had its opportunities, but misses from Bailey and Neale saw the Crows hold on for a memorable come-from-behind win.

Dawson's moment
The term captain's goal couldn't have been more accurate than for what Dawson delivered late in the win. Dawson entered the final term with just 12 disposals to his name, and with the game in the balance, took it upon himself to lift his side in a game-changing moment. Dawson launched himself from the middle of a pack to take a huge contested mark in wet conditions. Dawson went back and converted the long-range set shot, giving his side the momentum and sparking a Crows comeback.

Crows mid in trouble
Former Giant James Peatling will have a nervous wait ahead of him following a dangerous tackle on Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale in the first quarter of Friday night's clash. Peatling's sling tackle resulted in Neale hitting his head on the ground with the Brownlow medallist leaving the ground for a period of time. Though Neale returned to the game, the incident will no doubt be looked at by the Match Review Officer.

ADELAIDE          0.6     3.7     5.8     10.8 (68)  
BRISBANE          2.3     5.3     8.7     8.15 (63)  

GOALS
Adelaide: Rachele 3, Keays 3, Walker, Thilthorpe, Pedlar, Dawson
Brisbane: Rayner 2, Cameron 2, McCluggage, Lohmann, Bailey, Ah Chee

BEST
Adelaide: Rachele, Keays, Walker, Dawson, Laird
Brisbane: W.Ashcroft, Berry, Rayner, McCluggage, Cameron, Bailey

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Brisbane: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Brodie Smith (replaced Jordon Butts at three-quarter time)
Brisbane: Deven Robertson (replaced Ty Gallop in the fourth quarter) 

Crowd: 42,921 at Adelaide Oval