Two-time reigning champions Brisbane have given the competition a thunderous reminder of their premiership credentials with an imperious victory over fellow top-four contenders Hawthorn.
Six days after they were dismantled by Carlton to the tune of 76 points, the Lions clicked back into gear to celebrate Ryan Lester’s 250th game and Jarrod Berry’s 200th with a 18.17 (125) to 8.10 (52) win over the Hawks in front of a sell-out crowd on Friday night at the Gabba.
The 143-point week-to-week turnaround was the fifth most significant in club history as Brisbane kicked 16 goals to seven after quarter time to remain in the race for a double chance with two games left to play.
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Kai Lohmann (5.1) was electric in the Brisbane forward line with five goals, Logan Morris (4.2) became the eighth player in the AFL era to have multiple seasons of 50-plus goals before turning 22, and Charlie Cameron (3.2) continued his brilliant season with three.
In a week in which his visit to Collingwood’s HQ was a focus, Lachie Neale was everywhere with 35 disposals and midfield partner Will Ashcroft (39) had 30 or more touches and five or more clearances for the eighth-straight game.
“It’s been a real bounce-back here from the reigning premiers,” James Brayshaw said on Channel 7.
“This champion team have responded exactly as you would expect.”
Defeat for Sam Mitchell’s team ends a four-game winning run ahead of next weekend’s clash with Collingwood at the MCG and will raise questions heading into the finals about their genuine premiership credentials.
The Hawks though were also guilty of missing crucial chances in the opening two quarters with Harry Morrison and Sam Butler both offending as the Lions surged into a winning position.
The hosts were only six clear at the end of the first term but scored three quickfire goals at the start of the second to break the game open and never looked back, the Hawks unable to mount any meaningful resistance.
In the end Jack Gunston finished with three majors while Josh Ward had 28 disposals but it was a disappointing night for the Hawks who were simply second-best across the park.
With AAP
