Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has lauded his side's efforts to hold on for a nail-biting five-point victory after being peppered by Brisbane's attack repeatedly in the last 15 minutes of the game.
The Crows conceded 20 inside 50s in the final term and 10 shots on goal, but managed to apply enough pressure to force rushed behinds and low-percentage shots at goal, leading to a goalless term for Brisbane, but with eight behinds to boot.
Some misses were more glaring than others however, including a set shot from Lion Zac Bailey that missed everything, plus a running shot on goal by Lachie Neale in the dying minutes, but Nicks admitted Adelaide were due for some good fortune.
The Crows have been one of the hardest-done-by sides in recent memory. Four times in less than two seasons have the AFL conceded that an error was made against Adelaide, errors that cost the club victories.
Hence, Nicks was rapt and relieved that his side were able to absorb Brisbane's attacking pressure throughout the last quarter, as well as having a "bit of luck" on their side, after the Crows kicked five goals straight to overturn a three-quarter-time deficit.
"There's no doubt they had their opportunities. I think they kicked eight points, maybe the last 12 or 13 inside 50s, and there was a little bit of 'We're on the ropes and they're swinging haymakers at us', and they just couldn't quite finish us off," Nicks said.
"We would have responded if they'd kicked a goal. Sometimes it's hard when you're under that sort of pressure. They're just having a crack at you, they're going green, they're kicking points so the ball stays in their end, they're taking risks.
"But I'm so proud of the group. They just held on.
"And you make your own. You get lucky because you deserve it. The footy Gods work in funny ways. We haven't had any luck in the last three or four years. Things have gone against us, things that you just couldn't believe would.
"We've talked about that it's okay, eventually we'll get some go our way, and tonight we got a bit of luck to win that game."
Nicks also praised Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson for stepping up in the last quarter after being negated for most of the game by Josh Dunkley.
Dawson had 18 disposals, but a spectacular mark and goal in the last quarter gave the Crows momentum and their first lead since the first quarter, inspiring the Adelaide troops to continue their surge.
"You talk about moments, talk about our captain and the way he stepped up in that last quarter," Nicks said.
"He wasn't the only one, there were a lot of different moments, but that's just as good a performance in a quarter when we needed someone to take hold.
"He's done it before as well so really pleased that he was able to do that. Ultimate team player, but knows when it's time to step up and impact the game.
"He's got his priorities right. He's an incredibly gifted footballer, but the team's number one, and he's put the whole group ahead of himself, and he plays a role each week. He's getting a lot of attention at the moment. He's put himself in positions that a good leader would do, and sometimes sacrificing his position, and then in that last quarter, just getting himself where he needed to be to help us win the game."
With a healthy percentage, the win etches the Crows inside the top four for another week, as a crucial matchup against Hawthorn in Round 14 looms before the club's midseason bye.
