Injury chaos has marred a grinding 52-point Brisbane win over a spirited Adelaide team, highlighted by an awful neck injury to Taylor Walker.
Walker suffered severe whiplash after colliding with Daniel Rich’s hip whilst attempting to pick up the ball.
“That might have jarred his neck pretty severely,” Jason Dunstall said on the Fox Footy broadcast.
“Let’s just hope he’s okay.”
In the same quarter, Harris Andrews appeared to have sustained a serious knee injury after it buckled under Adelaide’s Billy Frampton in a marking contest.
However, in a sigh of relief to Brisbane supporters, he was able to return to the field in the second half and play out the game out.
The knocks continued for Brisbane though with Hugh McCluggage playing through a finger dislocation, and lockdown defender Brandon Starcevich dealt a late head knock.
Adelaide were resilient enough in the first half, putting up an enterprising fight to stay within two goals at the main break.
The Lions switched gears after half time however, asserting their dominance with six goals from stoppages, and the Crows simply couldn’t handle the heat, falling away badly as the match wore on.
Zac Bailey oozed class for the Lions and was the star with 26 disposals and a career-high nine clearances.
For Adelaide, ball-magnet Rory Laird (37 disposals) tried all day, but couldn’t much support after Paul Seedsman (21 disposals, two goals).
What’s next?
Brisbane is expected to take on St Kilda in a 'home' game that’s likely to be played in Melbourne, with a date and time yet to be confirmed.
Similarly for the Crows, they are expected to face Essendon at Marvel Stadium, with the schedule expected to be released early next week.
FULL SCORE
Adelaide: 2.1, 4.4, 7.7, 8.11 (59)
Brisbane: 3.4, 5.6, 11.7, 17.9 (111)
GOALS
Adelaide: Seedsman, Doedee, Mackay, Schoenberg, Sloane, Thilthorpe, Walker
Brisbane: McCarthy 4, Bailey 3, Cameron 3, Daniher 2, McStay 2, Zorko 2, McCluggage
BEST
Adelaide: Laird, Seedsman, Keays
Brisbane: Bailey, Lyons, McCarthy, Adams, Rich
INJURIES
Adelaide: Taylor Walker (neck)
Brisbane: Nil
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