Brisbane’s recruiters had a good night, with some of their most recent acquisitions starring when it mattered most.
And when the Lions needed a spark to flip the script early, an unlikely hero delivered.
Every Brisbane player rated out of 10 from its preliminary final against Carlton.
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2. Deven Robertson
Started on the bench and spent most of the night on the wing. Had a big moment in the final quarter, bumping Blues skipper Patrick Cripps off the ball to send Lions fans bonkers. 4
3. Joe Daniher
Had Jacob Weitering for company. Grew in confidence as the game progressed, especially in the second term with two goals from six touches. Had seven inside 50s to drive the Lions forward consistently. 5
4. Callum Ah Chee
Started on a wing. Had a magical moment in the third term, bursting away from congestion and nailing a stunning goal on the run that gave the Lions a defining scoreboard buffer. 5
5. Josh Dunkley
Worth that first-round pick trade and more. Went head-to-head with Patrick Cripps — and Fox Footy’s Leigh Montagna said the Dunkley-Cripps match-up was “a big win for Brisbane”. Played a lonehand at the coalface in the first term with nine disposals and three clearances. Continued to plug away as the game progressed, showing great tenacity in the coalface. Finished with 23 disposals, 16 contested possessions and five tackles. 8
6. Hugh McCluggage
Not as prolific as previous finals. Kicked 0.2 from 15 touches, but had five score involvements. 5
7. Jarrod Berry
Covered lots of territory throughout the night. Started on a wing and provided ample drive with 10 disposals in the first quarter, despite Carlton’s hot start. Used the ball efficiently by both hand and foot. Finished with a team-high 24 touches, 11 contested possessions and seven rebound 50s. 7
9. Lachie Neale
Roared to life as the Lions roared into the lead. After just five touches in the first term, finished with a team-high eight clearances and 15 contested possessions. Had a slight scare in the third term when he copped a knock on the shoulder, but got the first clearance of the fourth term. 7
11. Lincoln McCarthy
Very busy across half-forward, directly setting up two goals for his teammates. Also applied terrific pressure inside 50. Took a towering mark and converted a set-shot goal, before adding a second major in the final quarter to seal victory. 6
15. Dayne Zorko
Lifted big time after quarter-time, with 11 second-term disposals and five inside 50s. Worked hard across the wings to provide a connection between the arcs. 7
16. Cam Rayner
Was in at a few centre bounces, but overall didn’t have a massive influence on the game. Just two kicks. 3
17. Jarryd Lyons
Started as the sub and was injected into the game in the dying minutes. N/A
18. Keidean Coleman
What a way to announce yourself as a star of the competition! A massive reason behind Brisbane’s turnaround. His brilliant kicking flipped the script on the Lions’ ball movement. Intercepted, gained territory and set up Lions scores. Fox Footy’s David King said: “This guy‘s one that’s prepared to bite off the almost impossible. He hit players in the middle of the field, where, it’s almost more difficult not to score than to score.” Lachie Neale post game said Coleman “changed the game” with his kicking. Finished with 21 touches, 11 intercepts, 10 marks, seven score involvements and 627m gained, while he went at 83 per cent by foot. 9
23. Charlie Cameron
Had Adam Saad for company at the first bounce. Didn’t touch the ball in the first quarter and didn’t join in the fun until the third term when he kicked a goal. Had several shots at goal in the second half but misfired. 3
26. Conor McKenna
One of the bargain recruits of the year. Started strong with a big tackle and clever tap to advantage before kicking a team-lifting major in the second term. Generated ample drive from deep in defence and was damaging with his ball use through the corridor. Finished with 20 touches and 558m gained. 8
27. Darcy Gardiner
Just his third game of the year, filling in for the injured Jack Payne. And couldn’t have played much better. Had the job on Charlie Curnow and was next to him every time there was a marking contest. Had 11 spoils and almost kicked a goal in the last quarter, only for Lincoln McCarthy to mark and goal on the line. 8
28. Jaspa Fletcher
Started on the bench then played a variety of roles. Finished with 11 disposals and went at 78 per cent by foot. 5
30. Eric Hipwood
Had Caleb Marchbank for company. Kicked Brisbane’s first goal of the night to break a five-goal Carlton run. Finished with six marks. 5
31. Harris Andrews
Went to Harry McKay at the first bounce. Had some big intercepts and moments in the first quarter against the grain. As Fox Footy’s David King said: “He was the difference between Brisbane being five goals down and eight goals down.” Took three contested marks. 7
33. Zac Bailey
Was important at stoppages. Seemed to bomb the ball forward a lot, but at least was able clear congestion. Finished with 19 touches. 6
35. Ryan Lester
Took the resting ruckman at the start of the game. Bobbed up in the second term to kick his second goal in six seasons. Finished with 16 touches and nine marks, while he went at 85 per cent by foot. 7
37. Brandon Starcevich
Went to Jack Martin. Took two strong marks in the first term, but also gave away a silly 50m penalty that left to an early Carlton goal. 6
44. Darcy Wilmot
Was shaky early, but generated ample run and drive off half-back in the second quarter. Finished with 18 touches and eight marks. 5
46. Oscar McInerney
Best ruck on the ground — and one of the best on the ground. A big second quarter, highlighted by a goal at the start of the term. Finished with two majors from 14 disposals and six clearances, while 14 of his 38 hit-outs went to a teammate’s advantage. Fox Footy’s David King labelled McInerney a “wildcard ruckman”. 8
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