Lions destroy Crows with assertion win on the Gabba | UNW

The Brisbane Lions have put the competition on notice with a statement win at the Gabba over Adelaide, putting 2025’s minor premiers to the sword with a devastating burst either side of half-time.

Adelaide had hung in gamely until midway through the second quarter, with cheers for skipper Jordan Dawson after he slotted a goal that briefly gave the Crows a narrow lead.

Teammates rushed to Dawson, who was returning to the fold after the loss of his brother Jaryd in tragic circumstances on April 15.

But the next 10 minutes belonged to the Lions, as they slammed home four goals to break the game open before halftime, eventually running out comfortable 52-point winners – 19.13 (127) to 11.9 (75).

Brisbane had winners everywhere, with veteran small forward Charlie Cameron continuing his rich vein of early-season form with four goals to again be among his team’s best.

Lachie Neale had the ball on a string with 42 possessions, while Zac Bailey (3 goals, 29 possessions), Will Ashcroft (36 touches) and defensive giant Harris Andrews were prominent contributors.

Dawson finished his side’s best player, with two goals from 28 disposals in a superb performance that would have taken great mental resolve.

Chris Fagan and the Lions get around Jordan Dawson post-match ❤️#AFLLionsCrows pic.twitter.com/dG0ZuPzRGG— AFL (@AFL) April 26, 2026

Forward Luke Pedlar was excellent with three goals, and Izak Rankine showed flashes with two remarkable first-half majors, but the Crows were blown away by the Lions’ skill in space and pressure at the contest.

Brayden Cook kept them in it with a 55-metre bomb early in the third quarter, but the home side put the foot down after that, kicking a further seven straight goals to put the game to bed before the last change.

The Lions had 11 individual goalkickers and were queuing up in the last quarter, with the margin blowing out to a game-high 64 points

.Brisbane are now back in the top six with a 4-3 win-loss record, eight points adrift of joint ladder leaders Sydney, Fremantle and Hawthorn.

But on this performance, the back-to-back premiers showed they will still take a lot of stopping to be denied their second premiership threepeat this century.