The Brisbane Lions stepped into AFL overdrive to outclass the undermanned Adelaide Crows by 141 points at the Gabba.

With tight race for top position, the Lions boosted their percentage, broke the record for their highest score and greatest winning margin against the Crows in a crushing 29.15.189 to 6.12.48 victory.

It was Adelaide's biggest-ever defeat in the AFL.

For Lions coach Leigh Matthews, it was confirmation the triple premiers are on the right track for the finals while for his Crows counterpart Neil Craig and his young side it was a football lesson.

In the first quarter, Brisbane found it hard to shake off the Crows and were 10 points up.

The Lions were 29 ahead at halftime and then booted 21 goals to two in the second half.

For the Lions, it was their midfield engine room through the old firm of Simon Black, Michael Voss, Jason Akermanis and Nigel Lappin who racked up a mountain of possession.

Black had 37 possessions and two goals, while Akermanis kicked four in the last quarter and Voss and Lappin kicked three each.

But it was also the fringe midfielders Richard Hadley, Tim Notting and Luke Power who also stepped up in a side which had no passengers.

The Crows had started encouragingly.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP