Lions keep three-peat dream alive with 53-point mauling of Adelaide

We’re going to leave it there tonight, with Brisbane celebrating a comfortable and convincing victory as the Lions punch their ticket to yet another preliminary final.

Two weeks to go then. It’s going to be one of Brisbane, Fremantle, Hawthorn or Sydney, that much we know. But not much more than that, it really is right up for grabs now for the four remaining sides. The blog will be back on Friday night for the first preliminary final, and we hope to have your company then. Until then, thanks for joining me this weekend, goodnight.

Seven scintillating minutes set the tone as the Brisbane Lions kept their AFL three-peat hopes alive with a 53-point defeat of Adelaide at the Gabba.

The Lions, chasing a third straight premiership, will face Hawthorn in an MCG preliminary final after a rollicking 21.18 (144) to 13.13 (91) Saturday night semi-final triumph.

Set up by five goals in the game’s first seven minutes and 13 seconds — no team has done it faster in an AFL final — it was an emphatic response to last Saturday’s Sydney hiding, when they were beaten by the same margin.

Adelaide, who took 19 minutes to kick their first goal, eventually found their feet and surged within 10 points thanks to back-to-back Darcy Fogarty goals among four straight majors in the second term.

But just as quickly the Lions sped clear again, Charlie Cameron (5.3) causing carnage as the hosts kicked four more majors in less than nine minutes to finish the half with a 38-point lead.

Hopes of another Crows surge were quickly extinguished after the main break as a trio of goals, rubber-stamped by a long-range Dayne Zorko effort, blew the margin out to 57 points.

Zac Bailey (three goals, 23 disposals), days after confirming a monster eight-year extension at Brisbane instead of signing with the Crows, ran free, while Kai Lohmann and Cam Rayner were also heavily involved after being neutralised by the Swans.

Will Ashcroft collected 30 disposals for the Lions, while Jordan Dawson finished with 30 disposals and eight tackles for the Crows.

AAP

Practically every Lion that was challenged during the week stepped up tonight. It was a very even performance across that Brisbane team, but there were a few standouts:

Zac Bailey: 23 disposals, five tackles, 14 score involvements, 558 metres gained, three goals

Cam Rayner: 22 disposals, four tackles, 551 metres gained, 11 score involvements, two goals

Charlie Cameron: 14 disposals, five goals

Will Ashcroft: 30 disposals, six clearances, 13 score involvements

Are there concerns for Brisbane’s defence still given they have coughed up 91 points tonight? Probably not, given the game has been dusted since half-time really.

Neal-Bullen stepped through some witch’s hats there to convert. Nearly there.

Been a lot of goals in this one. Felt like there were a lot of goals last night too. A couple of very open, high-scoring finals.

Keays crumbed the pack there and goaled easily from 15 metres out. The Brisbane bench is now packed with stars. The siren still three minutes of play away.

One of Tex Walker’s boys has his hands over his ears as Country Roads plays again. And honestly? I’m with him. Swerve the goal music.

These are the sort of things we have time to talk about now because we are just biding time until this final ends. Cameron marked Rayner’s kick in the pocket and snapped his set shot comfortably. Still three and a half minutes to play.

Walker’s wife and kids are poised and ready on the other side of the fence to join him in the middle for the inevitable guard of honour. They applaud his second goal of the evening, this one a more regulation set shot from 40 out.

The margin is 59 points, which feels like a pretty decent finishing point with four minutes to play.

Chalk up another one. A crafty little dribble from the pocket from Levi for his first of the night.

We’ve stil got more than seven minutes to play here as the Lions run up a cricket score.

That’s a couple on the night for McCluggage, who is still slowly working his way back to full strength.

A bit too easy out of a forward 50 stoppage for McCluggage, but the spice has long since gone out of this one. Unless you count Zorko lipping off at Adelaide players as spice.

The night couldn’t have ended without one more Tex Walker special. It’s another thumping roost from Walker, well beyond the 50 metre arc, which fades back perfectly to split the middle.

It comes in front of the pocket of Adelaide fans too. A parting gift from him to them, and another chance for them to show him their affection.

Hipwood has been bright tonight, a really encouraging display from the big fella. Feels like they need him at his absolute best if they are to turn two flags into three.

The Ashcroft boys combined out of the middle to set that one up. Both have been excellent, Will especially so.

That’s the sort of goal you kick in the last quarter of a finals drubbing. The ball just clipping from end to end and ending up with a key forward completely alone in the goalsquare.

Smiles between Thilthorpe and Andrews. Still 13 minutes to play.

He’s been unstoppable tonight, Rayner. An absolute beast out there, who has done most of his best work as a provider rather than a finisher.

Not this time. That was a cracking finish on the run on his left foot. And they all sing Sweet Caroline to celebrate.

A nice way to end an All Australian season from Milera, pushing forward from defence to slot one from 45 out.

The Crows are still having a dip, asking some questions of the Lions as they traverse this final quarter. Back to a 53-point game.

There’s a bit if a stink off the play after Bailey is awarded a high-contact free kick, but I think everyone left it alone before somebody did something silly.

Bailey meanwhile has three goals as the Lions raise the bat. Hundred up.