Lions into top four
C. Zurhaar 5, N. Larkey 5, B. Brown 3, J. Ziebell 2, J. Simpkin, P. Ahern.
J. Bruce 6, T. Membrey 2, J. Gresham, N. Hind, R. Marshall. J. Ziebell, J. Simpkin, C. Zurhaar, T. Goldstein, N. Larkey. J. Bruce, J. Billings, L. Dunstan, R. Marshall. 10,696 at Blundstone Arena. BRISBANE has delivered the greatest indication yet it will not only return to AFL finals but is capable of doing some damage, overwhelming GWS in a 20-point upset at Giants Stadium.
The Lions claimed the Giants’ top-four spot yesterday in impressive fashion, snatching a 20-point lead at quartertime before withstanding several challenges to prevail 14.10 (94) to 11.8 (74).
Lions Eric Hipwood and Luke Hodge both played on after copping painful knocks, with the former clearly restricted but still bobbing up with a clutch third-term goal after a pack mark.
The hosts also had their injury woes, most alarmingly Josh Kelly’s iced-up leg problem that ended the superstar’s evening during the fourth quarter.
Brisbane’s first win at the venue came in front of 12,268 fans. The challenge for Chris Fagan is no longer whether he can end Brisbane’s 10-year finals hiatus.
Fagan’s charges, who next face Port Adelaide away then four teams currently outside the top eight, have a golden chance to lock up a double chance in September.
L. McCarthy 3, C. Cameron 2, A. Christensen, C. Rayner, D. McStay, E. Hipwood, H. McCluggage, J. Berry, J. Lyons, L. Neale, Z. Bailey.
H. Himmelberg 4, T. Greene 3, J. Cameron 2, J. Finlayson, Z. Williams..
L. Neale, L. McCarthy, H. Andrews, M. Robinson, D. Zorko, J. Lyons.
S. Coniglio, Z. Williams, T. Greene, J. Hopper, N. Haynes. 12,268 at Giants Stadium.