While his work often flies under the radar, Marcus Adams' contribution to the Lions 11-point victory over Port Adelaide could not be ignored.

The big-bodied defender was crucial to his side’s victory in what was a scrappy affair at the Gabba.

With Brisbane starting slowly, the pressure was heaped on the backline to keep Port at bay and Adams was central to stopping a number of Port’s forward forays.

Finishing with 10 intercept possessions, Adams was a rock in the backline, clunking overhead marks and minimising the aerial threats of Mitch Georgiades, Jeremy Finlayson and Todd Marshall. 

And while Lions fans may remind each other of his dropped mark deep in the goal square, his ability to save an almost certain goal was equally as impressive.

The 28-year-old hit a career-high kick count on Saturday night as he got up the ground and looked to add some rebound dash across half-back.

Adams finished the game with a team-high 11 marks, 20 disposals at 80% efficiency to be one of the Lions’ best as Chris Fagan’s side started the year with an all-important victory against a likely finals combatant.