Minor premiership on the table for Lions
BRISBANE safely negotiated Carlton and Lachie Neale may have sealed a Brownlow Medal, but the Lions still have a bit to tidy up ahead of their flag tilt.
The Blues did their best to honour retiring champion Kade Simpson with a late charge, but the damage was done in the second quarter as Brisbane won by 17 points at the Gabba on Saturday.
If Collingwood beats Port Adelaide on Monday night, Brisbane will finish on top of the ladder for the first time — a feat not achieved by even the mighty Leigh Matthews three-peat sides of the early 2000s.
“It’s always good to do something historical and no Brisbane side has done that,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said of the potential for the minor premiership.
“It’s not in our hands. Pressure is on (Port Adelaide) now, I’m glad it’s not on us. It would be great for this group because they’ve been a fantastic group to coach and they deserve every little bit of success they get.”
Neale was again a central figure of the Lions’ win with 29 possessions and nine inside-50s. He will be fighting for votes with Daniel Rich, whose performance was just as influential with two trademark long-bomb goals for good effect.
Brisbane had 61 inside-50s to 37 but failed to make full benefit of its chances.
Kade Simpson is often described as a warrior for his deeds over 342 games, so it was no surprise to see him among the thick of it early.
Simpson copped a solid blow to the face after an accidental head clash with Daniel McStay early in the contest. He spent the ensuing minutes checking and rechecking his mouth but was able to continue on unaffected.
His goal in the third quarter, where he found space and calmly slotted a major from distance, was a fitting moment and he was mobbed by teammates. It was also his first goal since Round 19 last season.
Any chance the Blues had to stay in the match slipped away in the second quarter as the rain tumbled and the turnovers mounted.
Four points up at the start of the quarter, the Blues instead went into halftime 28 points down after the Lions dazzled in the type of greasy conditions that threatened to turn the contest into a dour scrap.
Errant defensive exits resulted in early goals to Cam Rayner and Mitch Robinson and, in a flash, Brisbane asserted control.
It unravelled further for Carlton when Patrick Cripps left the field with a shoulder concern after a centre-bounce tussle.
Cripps soon returned but he played under duress and it summed up Carlton’s woes.