Contract talks with Kurt Tippett are suddenly the least of Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson’s immediate priorities after the Crows stumbled to a shock 10-point loss to lowly Brisbane Lions ahead of the AFL finals.

Despite leading by 38 points after the first term, Adelaide were overrun by a desperate Lions 13.17 (95) to 12.13 (85) on Saturday night in what may be a telling blow to their top two chances.

But Sanderson was confident this season’s big improvers could rebuild their confidence in time to go deep into the looming AFL finals.

“We’re not going to, after a loss, just say we’re no longer a good footy side, because we are,” he said of the Crows (2nd; 15-5 record).

“We’re still a ruthless side. At no point tonight did we throw the towel in or put the white flag up and say we’ve had enough – we kept fighting.”

Tippett’s future was the hot topic before the game after the star forward returned from a third head knock in five weeks, stalling contract talks with Adelaide.

However, Sanderson will be the one now nursing a headache after watching his highly-touted Adelaide outfit stumble badly so close to a finals run.

“The numbers we really pride ourselves on, we got beaten at,” said Sanderson after the Lions won the disposal count (367-329), contested possessions (149-139) and tackles (56-51).

“We will look at that game and make sure we are ready for September (finals).

“We won’t sulk. We will lick our wounds and make sure we put in a much better performance next week (against Melbourne).”

Gold Coast appeared to be a frontrunner for Queensland-bred Tippett’s services but the Lions did not do their chances any harm with the impressive comeback win – just their second in seven games.

Lions coach Michael Voss said it was their year’s best win, rating it higher than their round 10 upset of then ladder leaders West Coast.

“That was a better one. To do that (come back) against a team in really good form, they’ve got a clear lead on us and we’ve chased them down,” he said.

“This group does have tremendous character about them. We’ve been through some fairly adverse times as a group – they do have a will there.”

The Lions (13th; 8-12) now have twice as many wins as 2011 but Voss claimed they still had “unfinished business”.

“I’ve said a number of times we have made progress as a footy team but unless there’s results …it can sometimes be a bit of a waste,” he said.

“(But) there’s some genuine light for these guys and I think they can see it and feel it, I can see it and feel it – I just hope from a Brisbane public’s point of view, they can see it too.”

Tippett had not played since July 21 and it showed on Saturday night, grabbing just seven touches and kicking a solitary behind.