A season of so much promise has ended in heartache for the Lions’ faithful. So, what have we learned from one of the AFL’s most enthralling grand finals?
Featuring in their first grand final since 2004, hope was alive that Brisbane had completed their seven-year journey under coach Chris Fagan to end a two-decade premiership drought.Credit:But it was not to be, a 12.18 to 13.8 defeat sending Collingwood into hysterics. So, what have we learned from the Lions’ gut-wrenching loss?After four top-four finishes in the past five years, the Lions finally reached the last Saturday of September.
The Lions’ 2023 full squad has an average age of just 22.6 years, and as it stands only veterans Daniel Rich and Marcus Adams – neither of who featured in the finals series – have been confirmed retirements. The game inevitably became an arm wrestle, particularly as key Magpies’ defender Nathan Murphy was ruled out with concussion early in the second quarter, but the way Brisbane were overpowered at the end of the early quarters proved costly.In the opening two terms, Collingwood kicked a goal on the siren. In the third, with two minutes remaining, the Lions’ defence switched off believing the rampant Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill would kick for his fifth goal.
He will be joined in the priority signings by Keidean Coleman, who has stood up in the clutch moments to close out the year. Key Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy’s withdrawal due to concussion late in the first-quarter opened a door for Brisbane’s forward line to strike. However, despite Cameron and Joe Daniher kicking two goals each, a couple of costly set shots ultimately were costly.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lions’ heartbreak: Four things we learned from Brisbane’s final defeatA season of so much promise has ended in heartache for the Lions’ faithful. So, what have we learned from one of the AFL’s most enthralling grand finals?
Read more »
AFL grand final teams: Magpies name Lipinski as sub, no changes for LionsCollingwood small forward Jack Ginnivan will come into the starting lineup against Brisbane on Saturday at the MCG
Read more »
‘Brisbane Lions, mate’: Longley and Pippen reunite, make their grand final allegiance clearNBA icon Scottie Pippen and ex-teammate Luc Longley have reunited for the first time in a decade and will head to the AFL grand final - where Longley insists they’ll be behind the Lions all the way.
Read more »
‘Brisbane Lions, mate’: Longley and Pippen reunite, make their grand final allegiance clearNBA icon Scottie Pippen and ex-teammate Luc Longley have reunited for the first time in a decade and will head to the AFL grand final - where Longley insists they’ll be behind the Lions all the way.
Read more »
‘Brisbane Lions, mate’: Longley and Pippen reunite, make their grand final allegiance clearNBA icon Scottie Pippen and ex-teammate Luc Longley have reunited for the first time in a decade and will head to the AFL grand final - where Longley insists they’ll be behind the Lions all the way.
Read more »
Humility a common thread as Brisbane Lions rise from rock bottom to 2023 AFL grand finalPlayers like Charlie Cameron and Cam Rayner epitomise the no-fuss attitude that has put Brisbane one win away from a premiership
Read more »