Brisbane have been praised for their ability to “find a way to win” as they continue their surge up the ladder in season 2024.
The Lions came from 24 points down to grab victory from the jaws of defeat against the Demons, to climb into fifth on the AFL ladder.
Chris Fagan’s side now have a record of 8-6-1 and with games to come against Adelaide and West Coast, are suddenly a massive chance to secure a top four berth and clinch a double chance.
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“It’s a great win by Brisbane but it was Brisbane by default… somehow they got out of jail,” Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall said post-match.
North Melbourne champion David King lauded Brisbane’s ability to stand up in the clinches.
“When you absolutely have to win the ball in those crunch moments late, Brisbane were one foot in front of Melbourne,” King said.
“The Lions won the moments late.”
Goodwin GUTTED after last-gasp loss | 05:48
Brisbane midfielder Hugh McCluggage epitomised that, snapping truly from the boundary line to win the game after Alex Neal-Bullen was penalised for a deliberate out of bounds.
McCluggage was able to buck the trend of inaccuracy in front of goals that plagued both sides on Friday night.
“It was a great game, Melbourne put everything on the line, they were undermanned and under siege,” King said.
“Sometimes when you’re on the way to salvaging a season or getting it back on track like the Brisbane Lions, you find a way to win.”
St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna agreed: “Brisbane upped the ante; they were running all over them.”
“It looked like they might fall just short, but they kept coming.
“They didn’t throw in the towel, they kept pressing and coming defensively… they found a way.
“Melbourne were hanging on for dear life, it was edge of your seat stuff.”
Fagan lauds McCluggage after late winner | 06:21
It leaves the Dees languishing in 10th spot on the ladder with a win-loss record of 8-7 as their finals chances continue to spiral.
The Lions restricted the Dees to just five intercept marks, something that has been “unheard of” for Melbourne in recent years.
The Dees have had just one lower count than that in the last 15 years.
King believes the result on Friday night was reflective of the season they’ve had.
“It puts a full stop for me on annus horribilis, it’s just the year that Melbourne have had,” he said.
“Everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong. In the off-season the culture was questioned, they lost Brayshaw in early February, Oliver’s been questioned all season and hasn’t been the same player, they’ve lost Petracca. They get on the road and put all chips in and just run into the ground. Full stop for me.”
Dees give up LATE deliberate to Lions | 00:33
Elsewhere, former Sandringham Dragons product Will Ashcroft made a triumphant return to the AFL world after dealing with an ACL injury.
The young midfielder racked up 18 disposals, five marks and five tackles.
“In that frantic five minutes, he was really important. He has the know-how, the footy chip IQ, he was critical late,” King said.
“He showed his class and ability to be clean with his hands, it was a positive step,” said Montagna.
Lions coach Chris Fagan threw the challenge down to his midfielders at half-time and they certainly responded, with Lachie Neale and Josh Dunkley leading the charge.
Dunkley recorded a ‘quadruple double’, racking up 32 disposals (including 17 kicks and 15 handballs), 12 marks and ten tackles, while Neale had 29 touches of his own.
The Lions will look to make it five wins in a row when they take on the Crows next week, while the Dees take on the Eagles in round 17.