Patrick Dangerfield says some wise words from two-time Crows premiership captain and former assistant coach, Mark Bickley, rang true in Adelaide’s come-from-behind win over Brisbane on Saturday night.

Trailing by four goals at three-quarter time, the Crows piled on six majors to nil in the final term to run out unlikely 13-point winners at the Gabba.

Adelaide’s comeback was led by several of its leaders, who put aside quieter performances in the first three quarters to help drag the visitors over the line. 

Dangerfield was instrumental, winning eight possessions (five contested) and three clearances. Bursting through the midfield, he set up two of his team’s crucial last quarter goals, hitting Eddie Betts and then Taylor Walker inside 50m.

Scott Thompson, who was solid throughout, collected seven of his 28 possessions in the final term, and also kicked a remarkable goal.

Goalless at the last change, Betts stepped up with two final-quarter goals. Walker, who finished with 2.5, overcame his challenges in front of the big sticks to slot a goal from long range to put Adelaide in front for the first time midway through the final term.

Next, it was Nathan van Berlo’s turn to seize the moment. Van Berlo took a courageous mark going back with the flight of the ball and kicked truly to extend the lead to 12 points with less than four minutes on the clock. Substitute Cam Ellis-Yolmen also showed maturity beyond his years, winning 11 possessions in a quarter-and-a-half.

“We had some young players stand up for us in the first half, while guys like myself, ‘Tex’ and ‘VB’ probably weren’t having our best games,” Dangerfield said after the game.

“I remember something Mark Bickley always used to say. He said, ‘It might not be your game, but it could be your moment’. VB took a phenomenal mark near the goal square back with the flight in the last quarter.

“It was a big-time play and it was great to see.”

Coach Phil Walsh said Walker’s performance against the Lions mirrored that of the team.

“For three quarters, it was really frustrating for him but then he kicked that long goal. I thought that was a real captain’s effort,” Walsh said.

“I thought we saw some great leadership in the last quarter.

“I’m a glass half-full guy, so I’ll concentrate on that, understanding though that, not just Tex, but a number of our leaders have got to do better earlier on in the game.”

Adelaide’s performance was marred by skill errors and inaccuracy in front of goal, which saw the visiting team kick 5.13 before the final-quarter blitz improved the score to a more respectable 11.16 (82). Dangerfield praised his team for ‘finding a way’ to win.

“It wasn’t the prettiest of games for our supporters, but there were some positive things to take out of the game,” he said.

“We didn’t convert in front of goal well at all, which was disappointing, but the fact that we kept attacking the game and eventually found a way was pleasing. We’ve been in that situation before and let it slip.

“This win probably won’t be a highlight come the end of the year, but it’s such an important win for us with where we are on the ladder. Every win is crucial and, especially, on the road.”

The Lions got the jump on Saturday night, kicking four straight goals before the Crows hit back with two late in the opening term. Starts have been an ongoing issue for Walsh’s men, who have won only five of 12 first quarters this season.

“I’d love to have that first 10 minutes back again. We’re making it hard for ourselves at the moment. It’s a bit of Groundhog Day because we’re talking about it every week,” Dangerfield said.

“We’ll continue to review it and work on it. It means taking the ball cleanly, making correct decisions early and converting our opportunities early on, which we haven’t been able to do.

“They’re simple things, but we’re not doing those simple things well early on at the moment.”

Adelaide’s win was soured by a suspected fractured cheekbone to 2013 Club Champion Rory Sloane.

Sloane was subbed out of the game in the third quarter following a collision with Lion Mitch Robinson. It’s the same cheekbone the midfielder injured against Gold Coast in Round Six, prompting him to miss the next three matches.

Sloane will require scans to confirm the initial diagnosis, but is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Dangerfield said the players were shattered for their much-loved teammate.

“I saw the incident and you could tell immediately that Sloaney knew something wasn’t right,” he said.

“It just sucks for us as a Club, put bluntly. He’s one of our leaders, an important player and a great guy off the field as well. We want him out there representing our club, so it’s disappointing that he won’t be able to for a little while.”