No Lachie Neale, no worries for the Brisbane Lions as Will Ashcroft and Hugh McCluggage orchestrated a rampant momentum swing to finish their derby rivals’ fairytale cost.
Just as he did in final 12 months’s grand ultimate en path to the Norm Smith Medal, Ashcroft stood up on the large stage, with one second of pure genius breaking the shackles within the Lions’ 14.16 (100) to six.11 (47) semi-final beating of the Suns.
Josh Daicos has made a behavior of stepping up on the most important stage, at each the Western Bulldogs and the Brisbane LionsCredit: AFL Photos
While Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick was left to rue his pre-game declaration McCluggage can be given an extended leash than Geelong allowed him – ending with 33 disposals and 10 clearances – it was Ashcroft’s first of two objectives that proved the set off for an enormous shift in gears, because the younger Lions livewires flicked a change from that time.
After Logan Morris and Matt Rowell traded second-quarter objectives to maintain the conflict inside some extent, Ashcroft’s stylish pivot and seemingly blind snap round his physique proved the catalyst for Brisbane’s procession, as they kicked eight of the subsequent 9 objectives main into the ultimate time period.
Cam Rayner’s thumping purpose quickly adopted and despatched the Gabba into raptures, whereas Ashcroft marched on to complete with two objectives, 28 disposals and eight clearances.
Chris Fagan has his males firing on all cylinders at precisely the best time of 12 months.Credit: AFL Photos
The Suns, against this, went from desperately within the battle – and early on seemingly with the higher hand – to floundering and unable to maintain up.
Morris (two objectives), Kai Lohmann and Zac Bailey (three objectives every) fortunately accepted the work of Ashcroft and McCluggage, whereas Harris Andrews out the again was instrumental in conserving Coleman Medal runner-up Ben King at bay after his quick two-goal begin gave the Suns the early ascendancy.
All that was left for the Lions to realize was limiting the carnage star Suns duo Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell may inflict, with Josh Dunkley more than pleased to reply the decision – ending with a whopping 18 tackles.
In a nutshell, as soon as Brisbane’s speedy livewires obtained a sniff, they refused to let it go, because the defending champions produced some medical ball motion to finish a dramatic 180-degree flip from final week’s humbling towards Geelong.
