AFL latest: Brisbane Lions awaken to humble Sydney Swans in Gabba masterclass
The Lions, two-time defending AFL premiers, have sent a message at the Gabba as they shut down the second-placed Sydney for a third-successive win.
A refreshed Brisbane Lions have delivered a defensive masterclass to stunt Sydney in a confidence-boosting 43-point AFL win.
Lions captain Harris Andrews ruled with an iron fist while Charlie Cameron and Cam Rayner shone up front in Thursday’s 19.12 (126) to 12.11 (83) well-rounded win.
Chad Warner (four goals, 28 disposals, eight clearances) offered up a goal of the year contender with his long-range solo effort while Errol Gulden (18 touches, six tackles in 77 per cent game time) was quiet in his return from a long-term shoulder injury.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Both sides were coming off a bye and Lions coach Chris Fagan clearly made the most of the extra time, orchestrating a complete shut down of the flowing offence that had taken the second-placed Swans to 12-2.
Brisbane (9-6), who have played in the past three grand finals, have now won three successive games after losing as many in a row and having their contender status questioned.
Andrews spoiled everything in the early stages but was then useful setting up play further forward as the Lions had joy down the guts of the Gabba.
Cameron (two goals) and Rayner (three) were both lively in front of goal, while Logan Morris (three) benefited from their impressive forward pressure and Zac Bailey (two goals, 20 touches) was a handful.
It took 14 minutes for a team to kick a goal but things quickly sped up and the hosts crept clear.
Warner kept the Swans in it and his first two goals come from Lions turnovers and his third was a brilliant solo effort.
Reading Lachie Neale’s (27 disposals, seven clearances) chip kick, he smothered and took off, bouncing three times and stepping past Ty Gallop before slotting the goal.
Brisbane weren’t deterred though and a 50-metre penalty gifted Darcy Fort a goal before Rayner’s third put the game to bed before three-quarter time.
The margin should have been greater at the final break, but Logan Morris was curiously deemed to have played on when he snapped his set shot after the siren and had his major taken off him.
The margin meant it mattered little as Kai Lohmann cashed in late with two final-quarter goals and the Lions tuned up for a trip to Geelong next Thursday.
The Lions had six players kick at least two goals while Will and Levi Ashcroft both had eight clearances and Sydney’s Isaac Heeney added seven clearances within his 30 touches.
