Brisbane Lions 11.20 (86) d Melbourne Demons 11.15 (81)
Kai Lohmann of the Lions celebrates with teammates.Credit: Getty Images
KEY POINTS
LIONS ROAR HOME
Never mind how they did it. The Lions are in the eight, and – for the first time this season – they could finish the round there, too, providing one of Geelong, Port Adelaide or GWS lose. With eight games still to play, that’s an amazing result for Chris Fagan’s men, who like premiers Collingwood have had to improvise on the run after an injury-riddled campaign. The adversity they’ve faced has unearthed some fine players from the fringe: Kai Lohmann gives them greater strength in the air, and energy at ground level; Bruce Reville is a keeper; and although subbed out after a quiet night, Logan Morris has been a revelation. But the lynchpin of their revival has been former captain Dayne Zorko, who at 35 has had one of his best years at half-back after the devastating round one injury to Keidean Coleman.
HUGH KNOW WHO
Hugh McCluggage had a quiet first half for the Brisbane Lions, with just nine possessions. For all the attention on dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale, the Lions look a much less potent threat when McCluggage is being sat on. In the third quarter, McCluggage went into the centre square and exploded, his creativity setting up numerous scoring opportunities and dragging the Lions back into a contest that looked all but lost. His last goal – taking a free kick after Alex Neal-Bullen inexplicably dived out of bounds like he was crossing a try line – sealed the deal for the home side.
PICKETT PALACE
For the first two quarters, Kysaiah Pickett was untouchable at the Gabba. The electric Demons forward opened his account with two behinds, but from there he couldn’t miss, kicking 4.2 for the half. His physical pressure, which at times has got him into trouble, was fair and intense, and although he cooled in the third quarter, his fifth goal was the best of the lot. It should have been enough to shut the gate on the Lions, too. Both teams had their chances to win this game – at times it seemed like neither wanted to finish the job – but Pickett remained the most dangerous player on the ground.