The Brisbane Lions head into the 2023 AFL Grand Final with no chinks in their armour after seeing off a fast-starting Carlton outfit by 16 points at the Gabba.
It sets up a Grand Final featuring the two best teams of this year’s competition as first and second on the ladder progress, following Collingwood’s win on Friday night.
19 years ago, Michael Voss led Brisbane into a Grand Final as captain of the Lions when they famously went down to Port Adelaide in 2004.
But there would be no repeat of Voss in the final Saturday of September, with all of Carlton’s success coming to a screeching halt at the Gabba.
The Lions were staring at a 30-point deficit late in the first term but from there came flying back.
Carlton struggled to fire a shot after the early minutes of the second quarter and didn’t kick a goal for the vast majority of quarters two, three and four. A late rally was put to bed in the dying minutes, sealing the Blues’ fate.
Fagan had led Brisbane to two Preliminary Finals from four top six finishes prior to Saturday but had never given his side a chance in the decider. Yet all year the Lions had shown an improved resilience and maturity and they called on it in the 11.13 (79) to 11.13 (79) win over Carlton.
Within eight minutes of the opening bounce Carlton had 10 inside 50s. Repeat entries, a bit of luck and a Lions outfit that went to water contributed to the Blues kicking the opening five goals of the game.
But Fagan’s side had enjoyed the perfect run to the Preliminary Final and wasn’t going to sit on its haunches as another season was ripped away.
It was the tall forwards that hit the scoreboard, with Eric Hipwood, Oscar McInerney and Joe Daniher kicking the Lions’ opening goals. Dayne Zorko had over 300 metres gained in the second term alone, while Keidean Coleman and Connor McKenna were sublime off half-back.
That duo finished with a combined almost 1200 metres gained and 12 score involvements from 41 possessions and proved two of Voss’ biggest headaches throughout the clash.
In scenes reminiscent of Collingwood vs GWS not 24 hours ago, at half-time of Saturday night’s contest it felt as if the Blues were holding on for dear life.
But this time, there would be no massive no turnaround in yet another perfect team contribution from the Lions.
The 36,012 strong crowd at the Gabba – featuring a crowd of an almost 50-50 split between Blues and Lions - held their breath throughout the third term as Carlton fought valiantly to hold back Brisbane's momentum. But unable to influence themselves, the result was in little doubt soon after half-time.
Sam Walsh, as he did last week, tried his heart out for Carlton to pick up 15 contested possessions and a game-high seven score involvements while Jacob Weitering was a rock yet again with 10 intercepts.
But eight Blues had less than 10 touches and with Carlton’s systemic failures throughout the middle of the game, too much was left to too few.
The Lions depart the Gabba undefeated at their home venue for the final time this year and come to the final Saturday of September off the best run of any side this year.
It’s not the Grand Final set to melt the city of Melbourne, but it’s one with the two best teams of the year for the first time in a long time.
FULL SCORE
Brisbane: 1.2, 6.6, 9.9, 11.13 (79)
Carlton: 5.1, 6.3, 6.7, 9.9 (63)
GOALS
Brisbane: Daniher 2, McInerney 2, Ah Chee, Cameron, Hipwood, Lester, McKenna
Carlton: McKay, Martin, Curnow, Docherty, Cottrell, Cripps
BEST
Brisbane: Coleman, McInerney, Andrews, McKenna, McCarthy
Carlton: Walsh, Weitering, Marchbank, McGovern, Docherty
INJURIES
Brisbane: N/A
Carlton: N/A