A refreshed Brisbane Lions have delivered a defensive masterclass to stunt Sydney in a confidence-boosting 43-point AFL win.
Lions captain Harris Andrews dominated with an iron fist whereas Charlie Cameron and Cam Rayner shone up entrance in Thursday’s 19.12 (126) to 12.11 (83) well-rounded win.
Chad Warner (4 targets, 28 disposals, eight clearances) provided up a aim of the yr contender together with his long-range solo effort whereas Errol Gulden (18 touches, six tackles in 77 per cent sport time) was quiet in his return from a long-term shoulder damage.
Either side have been coming off a bye and Lions coach Chris Fagan clearly made the a lot of the further time, orchestrating an entire shut down of the flowing offence that had taken the second-placed Swans to 12-2.
Brisbane (9-6), who’ve performed previously three grand finals, have now gained three successive video games after dropping as many in a row and having their contender standing questioned.
Andrews spoiled every thing within the early phases however was then helpful organising play additional ahead because the Lions had pleasure down the center of the Gabba.
Cameron (two targets) and Rayner (three) have been each energetic in entrance of aim, whereas Logan Morris (three) benefited from their spectacular ahead stress and Zac Bailey (two targets, 20 touches) was a handful.
It took 14 minutes for a group to kick a aim however issues shortly sped up and the hosts crept clear.
Warner stored the Swans in it and his first two targets come from Lions turnovers and his third was a superb solo effort.
Studying Lachie Neale’s (27 disposals, seven clearances) chip kick, he smothered and took off, bouncing 3 times and stepping previous Ty Gallop earlier than slotting the aim.
Brisbane weren’t deterred although and a 50-metre penalty gifted Darcy Fort a aim earlier than Rayner’s third put the sport to mattress earlier than three-quarter time.
The margin ought to have been higher on the remaining break, however Logan Morris was curiously deemed to have performed on when he snapped his set shot after the siren and had his main taken off him.
The margin meant it mattered little as Kai Lohmann cashed in late with two final-quarter targets and the Lions tuned up for a visit to Geelong subsequent Thursday.
The Lions had six gamers kick not less than two targets whereas Will and Levi Ashcroft each had eight clearances and Sydney’s Isaac Heeney added seven clearances inside his 30 touches.
AAP
