Last year's grand finalists entered Sunday's clash at Brighton Homes Arena desperate to find form after suffering their third loss in four games with a five-point defeat to West Coast last Saturday.
But a brain-snap move in the third quarter by Lions defender Lily-Rose Williamson - wrapping her arms around the neck of Teah Charlton inside the forward 50 - severely damaged their chances.
The midfielder scored from the ensuing free kick and the Lions didn't recover until late in the final term as the visitors secured a 5.9 (39) to 4.6 (30) victory.
Brisbane (2-4) were left stunned as the Crows held them goalless in the first quarter while kicking two majors of their own.
But the Lions stepped up as midfielders Orla O'Dwyer and Shanae Davison slotted settling goals to reduce the visitors' lead to two points at halftime.
The visitors restored their advantage when forward Hannah Munyard poked the ball through the middle before Charlton scored.
Crows forward India Rasheed grabbed a major, but teenager Asher Fearn-Wannan and midfielder Catherine Svarc kicked consolation goals.
While Adelaide (3-3) claimed their first win against Brisbane since 2022, they will hope Olivia Gorman is fit after she suffered a knee injury.
Regardless, midfielder Ebony Marinoff was inspirational, posting 24 disposals and 10 clearances while Charlton had 17 disposals, 12 tackles and a goal.
For Brisbane, Alexandra Anderson (32 disposals, 14 tackles) was the standout while Isabel Dawes notched 24 disposals.
Elsewhere, West Coast weathered windy conditions to secure a 5.6 (36) to 3.7 (25) win over cellar-dwellers St Kilda at RSEA Park.
The Eagles (2-4) kept their slim finals hopes alive as midfielder Ella Roberts dazzled with 25 disposals and nine tackles.
Forward Amy Franklin also impressively kicked two of the first three goals to help the visitors lead by three points at the main break.
While the persistent harsh weather wreaked havoc, West Coast's Kayla Dalgleish slotted a settling major before Lauren Wakfer and midfielder Kellie Gibson joined the action to open up a 35-17 advantage at three-quarter time.
The Saints needed to find a new gear, but found only one goal in the final quarter and continued their winless start to the season.
St Kilda (0-6) also ended the round on the foot of the ladder, and will sweat on the fitness of midfielder Carys D'Addario, who picked up a groin injury while defender Paige Trudgeon battled through a leg niggle.
Their potential injuries will only add to the side's depth issues after former captain Hannah Priest announced her pregnancy midweek.
Midfielder Tyanna Smith and defender Jaimee Lambert were shining lights, registering 21 and 25 disposals respectively.
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