Taylor Walker’s suspension may have helped Adelaide unearth a new avenue to goal during a hard-earned AFL win against a rejuvenated Brisbane.

The Crows’ five-point defeat of the Lions on Saturday ensured they stayed 12th on percentage and just one win behind sixth in a congested section of the ladder.

And they had a sneaky four-goal haul from former basketball talent Hugh Greenwood to thank for it, with the 2015 Category B rookie producing a career-best showing at the Gabba.

With the captain out the Crows were looking to the club’s leading goal kicker this season Josh Jenkins and livewire Eddie Betts to steer the ship.

Instead it was Greenwood who took the wheel, scoring in a variety of ways to foil a Lions defence that has been hard to crack in recent weeks.

The 26-year-old also hit the post twice, with his three goal burst either side of quarter time a telling blow.

“We did a lot of homework on Eddie and Jenkins and (Tom) Lynch … and he (Greenwood) popped up,” Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said.

“He’s a good player that bloke and we’ll have to make sure we clamp him down next time.

“He’s good in the air and good at ground level and slippery around stoppages and I think he might’ve got goals from all those scenarios.”

Adelaide coach Don Pyke said Greenwood, who reneged on a deal with the NBL’s Perth Wildcats to chase an AFL career, had proved to be a man for many occasions.

“When we first recruited Hugh he came in as a forward (but during) his time at the club we’ve developed him into a guy capable of winning his own ball effectively around the stoppage,” Pyke said.

“We know he can play forward and we saw that tonight.”

Pyke was relieved to leave Brisbane with the points but content with his side’s recent form.

“We’ll get Tex (Walker) back again next week and that’ll bolster the side,” he said.

“In that last quarter they came again and we held on … it was a really pleasing win.

“We came up here needing a win to keep the season going and the guys got it done.”