Brisbane have missed a chance to make it four AFL wins on the trot but coach Chris Fagan reckons their five-point loss to Adelaide is still another step in the right direction.

The Crows prevailed 13.15 (93) to 13.10 (88) at the Gabba on Saturday night behind a career-best four goals from Hugh Greenwood.

But, encouragingly for Brisbane, they were able to stay in the hunt despite last year’s grand finalists keeping regular performers Lewis Taylor, Dayne Beams, Dayne Zorko and Eric Hipwood relatively quiet.

The five-point loss, their third this season, was also a far cry from 138 and 80-point margins against the same side in the last two years.

“So we’re starting to be able to compete with some of the big dogs,” Fagan said after rattling those statistics off the top of his head post-game.

“The opposition put a bit of homework into us and no doubt thought it was important to stop a few of our players.

“It’s hard to sustain a high level of performance too; we’ve been up for four, five weeks and I thought we were up tonight.

“The good thing, with a few guys down a bit, was we were still able to stay in the game and be competitive because other players popped up and that’s what’s required.”

Alex Witherden was again a defensive rock while Darcy Gardiner was among the best and Cameron Rayner proved a force up front.

“We can trust our young blokes to step up and get a contribution from a lot of players and that’s what you’ve got to be like if you want to a competitive team,” Fagan said.

Adelaide coach Don Pyke admitted his side was made to earn it against an improved Brisbane.

“If you’re a Brisbane supporter walking away you’re thinking that’s a glimpse into the future and it looks pretty bright,” he said.