Brisbane weren’t their typical free-scoring selves of their 28-point victory over St Kilda however coach Chris Fagan could not be a lot happier with how the Lions discovered a strategy to win ugly.
A horror two-goal first half proved pricey for the Saints, whereas the Lions largely overcame some wastefulness to prevail 12.12 (84) to eight.8 (56) and consolidate their AFL top-four spot.
The Lions (40 factors) leapfrog Melbourne (36) into third and have some respiratory room on the Saints, Essendon – who play Saturday night time – and the Western Bulldogs (all on 32 factors).
“It was a dour sort of a game,” Fagan advised reporters.
“What I was most pleased about was we were able to win in a game that was played like that because we don’t necessarily get associated with those sort of wins, the Brisbane Lions.
“But I believed tonight we toughed it out. We most likely might have been a bit of bit additional in entrance at half-time, just a bit little bit of accuracy in entrance of targets.
“But what I loved about our game tonight was our defence.”
St Kilda spearhead Max King was held goalless by Jack Payne and was reported for putting Brisbane defender Ryan Lester within the second quarter, when he clipped him within the neck with a late spoil.
Defender Liam Stocker was additionally reported, for a dumping deal with on Eric Hipwood simply earlier than halftime.
Brisbane’s Hipwood kicked 4 targets, with Fagan describing the oft-criticised key ahead as “hard to stop”.
Ruckman Oscar McInerney beat Rowan Marshall and Joe Daniher (18 disposals, two targets) was influential.
Co-captain Harris Andrews (21 disposals, 14 marks) made gentle work of younger Saints ahead Anthony Caminiti and was a vital interceptor.
“What a game,” Fagan mentioned.
“He was everywhere.”
Lachie Neale (29 touches, 10 clearances), Josh Dunkley (26) and Jarrod Berry (18 touches, one objective) had been all busy.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (24 touches, one objective) was St Kilda’s shining gentle whereas Jack Sinclair (36 touches, one objective) received loads of the ball.
After an emotional pre-match tribute to late former St Kilda defender Danny Frawley to mark ‘Spud’s Game’, the Saints booted the sport’s first objective.
But from there, Brisbane had been dominant.
The Lions had 18 inside-50s to seven, however didn’t make their dominance depend, booting simply 3.4 to guide by 16 on the first change.
Brisbane led by 23 factors on the primary change.
“They monstered us around the ball in the first half – clearances 20 to 10,” coach Ross Lyon mentioned.
“Our ball movement out, that’s been good all year, that struggled against them. All credit to them.
“I believed they had been more durable, I believed they had been harder, which disappoints me as a result of I have not been capable of say that just about all 12 months they usually pulled us aside a bit, however off the again of contests.”
St Kilda booted four goals for the third term but still trailed by 21 at three-quarter time.
Despite St Kilda’s early surge, with Jack Gresham goaling and King having a snap chalked off on rating assessment for being touched, Brisbane held their nerve.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
