In a thrilling match, Adelaide asserted themselves with a stunning comeback against Brisbane, marking their most significant victory of the 2025 season. After trailing at three-quarter time, the Crows exploded to life, scoring five consecutive goals, which not only turned the game around but also left the reigning premiers in shock.
The momentum shifted dramatically when Adelaide’s captain, Jordan Dawson, executed a remarkable pack mark, converting it into a critical goal. This pivotal moment revitalised the team’s fortunes on the field. Despite Brisbane’s relentless attempts to score, with 20 inside 50s and 11 shots on goal during the final term, they fell short, finishing with eight behinds and a set shot that was smothered. The disparity between their efforts and the final score left many baffled, as they had led by 17 points going into the last quarter.
As Melbourne legend Garry Lyon noted during the fourth quarter, Brisbane seemed to “lose their minds” after Adelaide’s quick succession of goals. He observed that the Crows had effectively rattled the Lions, leading to a loss of composure among the Brisbane players, a sentiment echoed later, declaring it “a famous victory for Adelaide.”
Off the field, Adelaide’s James Peatling is under scrutiny from the Match Review Office for a dangerous tackle on Brisbane’s Lachie Neale early in the match, where Neale’s head struck the ground. Although he continued playing, the incident provoked a scuffle between the two sides. The controversy surrounding the tackle has drawn comments from several figures, including Geelong great Jimmy Bartel, who expressed surprise that the Brisbane medical team did not assess Neale for concussion, and former Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd, who questioned how the MRO would adjudicate the incident given the recent inconsistencies in penalties throughout the season.
Ultimately, although Brisbane dominated parts of the game statistically, Adelaide’s resilience and opportunism in front of goal ensured a stunning turnaround, solidifying their reputation as formidable contenders in this season.