A seven-goal haul by Alastair Lynch helped the Brisbane Lions overcome the early dominance of Adelaide and record an 18-point AFL win at the Gabba.

Missing their regular tall forwards, inaccurate kicking by the Crows cost them dearly with Brisbane winning 16.11 (107) to 12.17 (89).

The result was in doubt up to the last ten minutes when Lions defender Chris Scott gave away a 50-metre penalty for back chat after being penalised for handballing out of bounds.

The penalty resulted in a goal, leaving the Crows only seven points down.

But Lynch kicked the last two goals of the game to put the result out of doubt.

The win in front of a near capacity crowd of 34,469 left the Lions at the top of the AFL ladder while the Crows, with four wins and four losses, will have to string a few victories together a ensure they don't lose touch with the top four.

The Lions put the first goal on the board but after that the Crows, through ruckmen Matthew Clarke and Rhett Biglands, won the stoppages allowing them more possessions and at times made the reigning premiers look second rate.

Adelaide kicked three goals in an inspired three-minute burst to power past the Lions and took a 15-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Through Simon Goodwin, who had the better of Jason Akermanis in the first quarter, veteran Mark Bickley, James Gallagher and St Kilda recruit James Begley, who was stretchered off the ground in the last quarter, the Crows dominated.

Except for captain Michael Voss, supported by Chris Scott in defence, and Alastair Lynch at full forward, the Lions had few winners.

The Crows were up 23 points ten minutes into the second quarter before Lions coach Leigh Matthews made some important changes.

He switched an out-of-sorts Jason Akermanis to the back pocket and allowed recruit Blake Caracella to run across the centre.

The Crows had a 12-point lead at halftime.

But the Lions hit the lead at the 15 minute mark of the third quarter and were never headed, kicking nine goals to four after halftime.

For the Crows, Andrew McLeod, who spent most of the match in the forward pocket, Ian Perrie and Tyson Edwards kicked two goals each.

The Lions were forced to make a late change with Dylan McLaren replacing No.1 ruckman Beau McDonald in the selected side.

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