GF preview? Lions pinch AFL epic as injury-hit Swans cop ...

A surging Brisbane outfit has toppled Sydney in a scintillating Sunday afternoon blockbuster at The Gabba, winning 11.13 (79) to 11.11 (77).

The Lions have now won their last seven games on the trot and have stormed into second position on the ladder, overturning a 15-point three-quarter-time deficit to claim a memorable triumph in front of a palpable home crowd.

Meanwhile, the Swans have now lost three of their past four games after surrendering their commanding position at the last change.

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The Swans were overrun in the final term as the Lions booted four goals to two, including Callum Ah Chee’s winner at the 28-minute mark.

Hugh McCluggage led the way for the Lions, notching 26 disposals, eight marks, six score involvements, three goals — two in the final quarter alone — and 465 metres gained in a starring effort.

Dayne Zorko (29 disposals) was the leading ball-getter on the ground, while key forward Joe Daniher added three goals.

For the Swans, Errol Gulden was best afield, accumulating 27 possessions, one goal, seven marks, 449 metres gained, seven inside-50s and six score involvements.

3 – ‘FINALS LIKE’ MATCH SEES LIONS PREVAIL OVER VALIANT SWANS

In a heart-stopping two-point win, the Lions have further pushed the envelope for a top four berth to topple the ladder-leading Swans.

A topsy-turvy game from start to finish, both Brisbane and Sydney had runs of momentum in what could only be described as “finals-like quality” football.

And while the Swans were severely depleted with injuries both on the bench and on field, it still took a mountainous effort to beat the likely minor premiers.

Hugh McCluggage slotted three goals from his 26 disposals, while Dayne Zorko (29 disposals) and Oscar McInerney (22 disposals, 27 hitouts) played huge roles in the win for Brisbane.

Now undoubtedly the two most in-form teams in the competition, the match-up could well now be a preview to a qualifying final come the start of September.

The Lions came out of the blocks firing with five first quarter goals, and it grabbed the attention of Melbourne great Gerard Healy in the commentary box.

“I don’t think I’ve seen the ball move so sharply for Brisbane this season; this is them at their best,” Healy said during the first quarter.

“It’s got finals-like quality written all over it; there’s so much to like about the Lions,” Hudson added at the first break.

Joe Daniher kicked 3.1 in the first quarter, dominating the Swans defence to give his side the kick-start they needed.

Errol Gulden was once again dominant for the Swans through the middle of the ground, finishing with 27 disposals and a goal.

“(Errol Gulden) was fantastic, especially with his kicking skills,” Brisbane legend Jonathan Brown said on Fox Footy at half-time.

“(The Swans) were able to open up the corridor, and as we know he’s one of the best kicks in the competition.

Gulden accrued eight disposals and four score involvements in the second term alone.

“His ability to turn it back inside — I know it looks dangerous — but they were all able to come off.”

But unlike previous instances, Gulden’s mammoth efforts along the likes of an injured Will Hayward (17 disposals, 2.3) and Robbie Fox (26 disposals) – who filled the void of an injured Dane Rampe very well, weren’t enough to help them crawl over the line as victors.

2 – SUPERIOR TURNOVER GAME A DEFINING FACTOR IN LIONS WIN

Despite their five-goal first quarter and yet another sluggish start from the Swans, the Lions couldn’t quite

Dissecting Chris Fagan’s side’s ball movement at half time, Lions champions Jonathan Brown and Alastair Lynch were full of praise for their old side.

“What they did, on turnover, was just score, and they scored heavily in that first half, but mostly in that first quarter,” Lynch said.

Brown added: “It was dynamic — they were able to move the ball fantastically all the way through the middle of the ground and from the back half — so it has been a bit of an issue for the Swans.

“Some of the defensive-half kicking and skill errors they make at times can be a bit of a problem. Brisbane was able to capitalise in that first quarter … five goals from turnover was a very good result.”

Brisbane managed six goals to Sydney’s two from turnovers in the first half.

And in addition off half back, former Brisbane skipper Dayne Zorko got off the chain in the first quarter, accumulating 10 disposals – as well as a bunch of headaches for the Sydney coaching box to set the tone early.

“Dayne Zorko (is) dominant with 10 possessions … there’s a number of things the Swans have got to focus on, and no doubt that part of that will be Dayne Zorko,” Alastair Lynch said at quarter time.

“(He’s) gotten off to an absolute flyer across half-back – he can be the spare at times, and certainly the Swans are pushing up one of their forwards into the midfield; that generates a spare (man), where Zorko has set up numerous forward 50 entries (and) had two score involvements.

“That is a major talking point in the Sydney Swans huddle at this quarter time break.”

The Lions ended up finishing with 10 more clearances than the Swans and eight more inside 50s; indicating they had strong control around the ground and moving forward.

1 – SWANS RAIDED WITH SEVERAL INJURIES IN TIGHT LOSS

With an almost full-strength side heading up to Brisbane for the Sunday afternoon clash, all of a sudden the Swans are flagging an injury alert.

Stand-in skipper Dane Rampe was the first of the Swans to go down with injury at the Gabba, and was subbed out early in the second quarter with a calf complaint.

His absence left a large void down in defence for the Swans, who were already struggling to contain gun forward Joe Daniher after his three first-quarter goals.

The Swans hardly had time to blink before Tom Papley went down with what looks to be a serious ankle injury.

Seen at the beginning of the second half on the bench and in training gear, Papley showcased a moonboot on his right foot in dire signs for the red and white.

“It’s certainly been a big loss, he looked very sore coming off with that ankle,” Jonathan Brown said during the third quarter.

Fox Footy’s team analysed the debacle at the main break, with concerns over their ability to run out the game as a result.

“They could potentially be three men down (in the second half). It’s a watch on Hayward, and we know Rampe’s gone, so can Brisbane capitalise on this?” Brown asked.

“They need to really keep some energy and run in the game.”

“The other concern is Amartey, so they’ve got plenty of injury concerns down here,” Alastair Lynch added boundary side.

Gerard Healy noted it would be an “amazing victory” if they were somehow able to leave the Gabba with four points amongst all their injuries.

Having last week lost Justin McInerney to a PCL injury, John Longmire will now all of a sudden certainly need to reshuffle his troops ahead of Round 20.

Nick Blakey (left shoulder) and Will Hayward (ankle) were also looking worse for wear throughout the match, but honourably managed to play out the match with good effect.

BRISBANE LIONS vs. SYDNEY SWANS — AS IT HAPPENED

There are no late changes for either side, with Bruce Reville (Lions) and Corey Warner (Swans) the respective subs.

Dayne Zorko has sent an early scare through the Lions camp, after Swan Joel Amartey fell on his ankle inside the first 90 seconds and leaving the veteran in severe pain.

Thankfully though for Brisbane fans, he stayed out on the ground eventually unscathed.

Joe Daniher kicked the first two goals for the match, with a 55 metre bomb off one step before converting truly from set shot on a similar angle just inside the attacking arc.

Chad Warner kicked the Swans’ first with another long-range goal for the first quarter in sunny Brisbane conditions.

Cam Rayner kicked his first blazing through traffic for Brisbane’s third, and gave the Lions an early 11-point lead.

And with five and a half minutes to go in the first quarter, Daniher kicked his third to get well off the chain.

Zac Bailey finished off the quarter with the Lions’ fifth major after the siren to give Brisbane a 22-point lead at the first break.

The scorecard read: Brisbane 5.1 (31) leading Sydney 1.3 (9).

Zorko led the match for disposals at quarter time with 10 touches, while Errol Gulden and Robbie Fox had seven each for the Swans.

“It’s got finals-like quality written all over it; there’s so much to like about the Lions,” commentator Anthony Hudson said on Fox Footy’s coverage.

In true Sydney fashion, the Swans kicked three goals in five minutes to start the second term - cutting the deficit to just four points after Brisbane’s hot start.

Hugh McCluggage’s goal from a forward 50 tackle settled their momentum, before Logan McDonald and Luke Parker kicked back-t0-back goals; with the latter an absolute ripper.

In bad news for Sydney, stand-in skipper Dane Rampe was subbed out early in the second term, injecting Corey Warner into the game earlier than anticipated.

And not long after, Tom Papley was ruled out for the match with a nasty ankle injury - seen later with a moonboot on his right leg.

An Errol Gulden goal on the run saw out the end of the first half, with the Swans pinching a seven-point lead heading into the main break.

The scorecard read: Brisbane 6.3 (39) trailing Sydney 7.4 (46).

“It was dynamic — they were able to move the ball fantastically all the way through the middle of the ground and from the back half — so it has been a bit of an issue for the Swans,” Brisbane legend Jonathan Brown said at half-time about the home side’s ball movement.

Corey Warner and Rayner hit the scoreboard inside the first half a dozen minutes of the third quarter with majors, before both sides went through a quiet patch in front of goal.

Hayward eventually broke the mini-deadlock, snapping beautifully to put Sydney ahead by 15 points away from home.

The margin stayed constant at the final break, with the Swans so far running out the game strongly despite limited bench rotations.

Despite squandering his first opportunity in front of goal in the final term, Hugh McCluggage took full advantage of his second, snapping a crucial major to get the Lions back within eight points.

McCluggage then went bang again! After exploding from the centre bounce, the prolific midfielder threw ball to boot and his kick bounced through. Four minutes into the fourth quarter and it’s the Swans by two points.

Fox Footy caller Anthony Hudson exclaimed: “This game is living up to its billing now!”

The Lions undoubtedly have the ascendancy now, and while Kai Lohmann missed a chance to put his side back in front, the hosts are pressing threateningly.

Eric Hipwood was next to waste a gilt-edged opportunity, missing a snap from point-blank — and the Swans made the Lions pay full price, going down the other end and capitalising from a crafty Will Hayward snap.

Hipwood made amends for his earlier wayward miss, setting up Charlie Cameron with a crisp inside-50 sizzler — and Charles didn’t leave him hanging, saluting from long range to put Brisbane back in front by two points.

The drama continued, as veteran half-back-flanker Jake Lloyd streamed inside 50 and goaled! Sydney lead by five points with five minutes left.

Shadeau Brain has been hugely influential as a back-half interceptor in this final quarter.

Lord almighty, this game. Callum Ah Chee pounced on a loose ball inside forward-50 and snapped a stirring major to put Brisbane back on top by a single point with three minutes remaining!

Ah Chee then hit the post in what would have sealed the game! Lions by two points.

Brisbane holds on at The Gabba! The Lions survive the ladder-leading Swans to win by two points and move to second spot on the ladder!

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