AFL round 14 Friday night LIVE: Confidence grows for Lions as grand finalists take points in Gabba shoot-out

BRISBANE LIONS 19.12 (126) d ST KILDA SAINTS 16.10 (106)

KEY POINTS

THE SHOOTOUT WE DIDN’T SEE COMING
After a week of the football media bemoaning the style of football St Kilda produced to eke out a win against the Gold Coast Suns last week, the same media will have to admit they played a pretty exciting brand of football against the Lions. Unfortunately, after threatening to pinch the points, they lost – and the aesthetics won’t matter to coach Ross Lyon. But there is a bit for him to take out of it, not least the move into the centre of winger Liam Henry. Henry was brilliant in the last quarter, giving the plodding Saints midfield the pace and verve it has so sorely lacked, and briefly, it looked like he was going to win the game off his own boot until a leg injury in the final minute forced him off. There was also the debut of the rangy Arie Schoenmaker, a smooth-moving defender with a super left-foot kick whose 18 possessions on debut spoke of an immense future.

THE TAG EVERYONE SAW COMING
No one, least of all Lachie Neale, was surprised when Marcus Windhager lined up on the dual Brownlow medallist at the first bounce. In case you haven’t heard, taggers are back in vogue, and Windhager set about the task of driving Neale around the bend. By half-time, Neale had given away four free kicks and had just the nine touches to his name. But by that point, the Saints had been drawn into the kind of open, free-flowing shootout no one expected (one remarkable statistic: the Lions laid just 14 tackles in the first half, yet were in complete control of the contest). The Saints had to give something back, and while Windhager stuck to his task, holding Neale to 17 possessions, it’s debatable whether it worked, given the final outcome.

DANIHER, HIGGINS KICK FIVE EACH
This game was highlighted by two tremendous individual performances at either end of the field. For the Saints, it was small forward Jack Higgins, who had a night out, keeping his team in the game when it looked shot to bits. But for the Lions, Joe Daniher was best on ground: his hands were like glue all night, and his five goals from 20 possessions all came at critical times. His last sealed a game that had been in danger of slipping away. It came on top of Eric Hipwood’s six goals against the Bulldogs last week. While Callum Wilkie mostly curtailed Hipwood on this night, Hipwood, too, stood up in the third quarter to have an impact. And Charlie Cameron, who’s had a lean trot, finally had the crowd singing Country Roads, Take Me Home when the game was won. If their forwards keep firing, the Lions are still in the frame for September.

KEY STATS

Dayne Zorko spoke to Channel Seven post game.

Some stressful minutes throughout that fourth-quarter. You must be really pleased with the boys to put the foot down and get it done.

We knew St Kilda would take the game on in the last quarter. It took a bit to get our system right. We were a bit away from being bold which is what we wanted to be. We can turn the ball over and scoring. We were able to rectify that. Kicked away late but still work to form on.

Against the St Kilda side there was so much conversation during the week about them playing highly contested, tight defensive brand.

I watched the game against the Suns. They defended their back sides off and were super impressive. A lot was spoken how they wanted to take the game on this week. We were prepared for T for the majority of the game we did it well. We let ourselves down late. Still work on that.

Lachie Neale managed to accumulate the ball, had 18 disposals. How pleasing is it to know that you have so many quality mids can pop-up and dominate.

I thought Hugh McCluggage was fantastic in the first half. Josh Dunkley he’s potatoes, gets it done every week. He’s incredible. Cam in the last quarter and third-quarter started getting exclusive which we love in his game. Lachie had a quiet night. We were prepared for that, set up for that. It was great to see the other guys set up around him.

What about you, speaking of stepping up 35 years young. You seem like you have a lot of confidence in your body and you’re playing some career-best foody.

Worked hard the last two preseasons to get my body right. Injury interrupted at times last year. Putting too much stress. I feel energetic, alive and hopefully still some good footy to

The Lions have hung on to claim the four points despite a fearless comeback in the final term from St Kilda.

It was the shootout we weren’t sure we would get but the Lions showed they have the firepower to still win matches.

Daniher’s five goals were outstanding while Charlie Cameron’s late goal could be the start of many – at least the Lions will hope so.

Henry has been forced off with a lower leg injury.

His season has already been interrupted by a hamstring injury which cost him several weeks on the sidelines.

He hobbled off and is now getting treatment.

This shootout keeps on going with Butler marking the ball on the goal line and booting it home.

They may find themselves a couple of goals short at the siren but they have been brilliant in this last term.

Lions 126, Lions 105 with two mins to go.

Charlie Cameron has been mobbed by his teammates after taking a mark 50m out and booting the goal.

He hasn’t had the best time of it with his goal kicking this season but that one was quality.

Even the runner showed him some love.

Country Roads is back at the Gabba.

Lions 125, Saints 99 with two mins to go.

Daniher took a mark and worked 30 seconds off the clock before slamming home his fifth goal of the night, this one from the left boundary.

Huge play for the Lions. It might be what decides the game.

Lions 119, Saints 99 with three mins to go.

Windhager has received a 50m penalty for encroachment in the centre.

He tried to stand on the mark but was too far forward.

“Are you kidding me?” Matthew Richardson said on Channel Seven.

Morris kicked the goal.

It’s still not over yet.

Lions 112, Saint 99 with six mins to go.

The Saints are on fire and now are within seven points.

Liam Henry’s speed and class stood out.

He forced it forward and ran on to get it back and kick the goal.

Lions 106, Saints 99 with nine mins to go.