Deployed as substitute, in of venture that became a windfall, Neale was instrumental within the second-half rout (he had a raft of vital clearances and a vital lengthy aim), which was piloted by a bunch of Lions. That group was headed by co-skipper Harris Andrews in defence, midfielders Will Ashcroft and Hugh McCluggage, and – lastly – forwards Charlie Cameron (4 objectives) and Zac Bailey, the latter discovering his goalkicking radar within the second half after a profligate 0.5 became a deadly 3.6.
Brisbane’s turnaround from the qualifying ultimate was 180 levels, culminating in a nine-goal ultimate quarter avalanche. Few who’d witnessed Geelong’s related obliteration of the Lions in that prior ultimate would have projected this consequence.
Through their emphatic victory – which few observers, least of all this one, had envisaged – the Lions gained their fifth flag of the twenty first century, surpassing Geelong (4) and Hawthorn (4) and have become the primary workforce to win back-to-back premierships for the reason that fashionable Richmond juggernaut (2019-2020).
It is a premiership that holds ramifications for the competitors, on three key questions.
One is what golf equipment ought to pay for northern academy recruits and father-sons – as Ashcroft, a glittering father-son jewel, fittingly accepted his second consecutive Norm Smith Medal for greatest afield from one other twin Norm winner, Luke Hodge.
His brother Levi was not among the many grand ultimate’s greatest, but nonetheless distinctive for a first-year participant, whereas Andrews –an academy product – managed the again half with 11 interceptions and several other spoils. His main opponent Shannon Neale was rendered ineffectual.
Andrews rivalled Ashcroft, McCluggage and Bailey as probably the most influential afield and should be considered because the AFL’s premier defender, corresponding to ex-Geelong nice Matthew Scarlett.
The second ramification lies within the pre-finals bye, which has lifted the prospects, not merely of groups positioned fifth to eighth, but in addition those that lose the qualifying ultimate. Ironically Fagan had been a critic of that bye, however has profited mightily after two flags when his Lions have performed 4 finals.
If Geelong may need had Tom Stewart with a pre-grand ultimate bye, on what we witnessed on this recreation, it will take way over that sole defender to bridge the hole between Lions and Cats.
The third main query is just whether or not the Brisbane juggernaut might be halted in 2026 or, if that fails to occur, the yr after. The 23 they fielded contained eight gamers aged 22 and beneath, and in contrast to Geelong, they’d as much as 5 of their greatest 23 unavailable.
The father-son and academy bid system is being reviewed by the AFL in December. An architect of the Lion ascendancy, ex-CEO and new AFL soccer boss Greg Swann is amongst these favouring that golf equipment pay the next draft worth for high-end sons and academy graduates.
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Needless so as to add, the Lions’ fifth flag for the reason that merger within the mid-Nineteen Nineties will solely improve the expansion of the code up north, the place Gold Coast are lastly rising.
It’s conceivable that this unit may have already got three flags, however for a four-point defeat by Collingwood two years in the past.
Brisbane had distinctive contributors everywhere in the discipline – from Darcy Gardiner subduing famous person Cameron, albeit “Jezza” performed with one arm for many of the grand ultimate, to exceptional veteran Dayne Zorko, whose ball use from halfback was vital in turning the tide.
Youngster Jaspa Fletcher, additionally a father-son, had 29 disposals and earned Norm Smith Medal votes from Hodge, whereas journeyman ruckman Darcy Fort excelled within the ruck contests. Key Geelong midfielders Holmes and Bailey Smith had a mixed 62 possessions however have been far much less influential than their Brisbane counterparts.
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The Cats had fewer accidents moreover gun defender Stewart, knocked out of the grand ultimate by concussion protocols, however have been sluggish and unsure for a lot of the sport and have been swept apart in a lot the identical manner that Brisbane had been in week one of many finals.
Chris Scott, who was gracious in defeat, had punted on Rhys Stanley as ruck help for his versatile tall Mark Blicavs. If Neale was the punt that landed for the Lions, Stanley’s choice didn’t.
Scott mentioned the Cats had opted to maintain Cameron on the market, regardless of the arm harm. “He was clearly restricted.”
The Geelong coach, whose win-loss ratio is unmatched in competitors historical past and who has taken the Cats to the ultimate 4 in most of his 15 seasons, felt that the Cats had not had the sport on their phrases when the scores have been even (as much as mid-third quarter). The recreation, he mentioned, had not been “going the way in which we needed” even when the scores have been sq..
The carnival flavour of the second half was underscored by the AFL’s (or was it the MCC’s) willingness to play the songs that the Lions belt out on the Gabba when Charlie Cameron and others scored majors, as Take Me Home, Country Roads (Charlie Cameron) and Hey Jude (McCluggage) have been heard eight instances over the course of the grand ultimate, with the massive Lions supporter base becoming a member of.
Dangerfield was statesman-like in his speech on the sector. The Lions have been “far too good” however his phrases for vanquished teammates was upbeat. “To our gamers, be proud. Hold your heads up excessive,” mentioned the 35-year-old skipper.
The grand ultimate was gone in about one crowded half-hour, from mid-third quarter. From a recreation that modified so dramatically, additional change may properly come.
