Media articles & stats: Tigers fall short to Brisbane in QF

[one-eyed]

Start your engines: Lions motor into prelim after ending Tiger hoodoo

Brisbane is through to the preliminary final after defeating Richmond in a cracker

By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
2 October 2020 11pm

Revved up by a scintillating performance from Charlie Cameron, the Lions have motored to the final four with a 15-point win over Richmond in their qualifying final clash.

The 10.9 (69) to 8.6 (54) win was significant in so many ways. It ended a 15-game losing streak to the Tigers and an 11-year drought without a finals win, and sees the Lions progress to a preliminary final berth for the first time since 2004.

But it also put them a step closer to booking a spot in this year's historic Grand Final decider at the Gabba, an advantage that was evident on Friday night as they rocked the reigning premiers with a dominant display.

A year since their nervous and inefficient qualifying final loss to the Tigers, the Lions this time were a side who kept their destiny in their own hands. In the space of 12 months Chris Fagan's men had gone from raw to roar, drawing on their Lions pride in the stands to give them the edge.

The Brisbane machine got things started in the midfield, where Hugh McCluggage (20 disposals) put in a brilliant game on the wing, Jarryd Lyons (27) took on the star-studded Richmond brigade and was the best clearance player on the ground and Jarrod Berry didn't take a backward step. Daniel Rich, too, was terrific off half-back with 20 touches.

But they were also well served by a (largely) accurate forward line sparked by Cameron's brilliance, with the Lions star booting three pivotal goals.

Cameron is the Lions' maverick – their agent of artistry – but their credentials lie in the fact they don't have a weak link. This time, and for the first time in a final since 2018, the Tigers had no answer.

Richmond, who will play the winner of Saturday's elimination final between St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs next week, were served well by Dion Prestia (20 disposals) in his first game since round five, while Dustin Martin started in the sort of form you expect from him in a final but faded.

The Lions got the early jump with a goal inside the first 30 seconds from long range via Rich, and it set the tone for a frenetic opening quarter.

The sides traded goals – an on-the-run bomb from Liam Baker and curling left-foot snap from Trent Cotchin the highlights – before the Tigers took a six-point lead into the first change.

But the Lions struck back in the second. The home side booted four goals to one for the quarter to take a 13-point lead into the main break. Three of the goals came in the final five minutes of the half, first a brilliant bomb from Cam Rayner, then an exhilarating crumb from Cameron.

Then, with only seconds left on the clock before half-time, Richmond gave up back-to-back 50-metre penalties to Lachie Neale, who slotted a team-lifting and crowd-inspiring shot from outside 50.

It was an inauspicious start from the Brownlow Medal favourite, who went without a disposal in the first quarter, before he tallied eight disposals in a busy second term.

Some more magic between Rayner and Cameron helped the Lions extend their lead to 21 points by three quarter-time, with Brisbane missing some gettable shots late in the term that could have all but sealed the win.

Some nervous moments ensued, as Richmond got back within eight points, but a classy McCluggage snap in the last three minutes sent Brisbane through. 



BRISBANE      3.1       7.2       9.6     10.9 (69)
RICHMOND                   4.1       5.1       6.3      8.6 (54)

GOALS
Brisbane: Cameron 3, Bailey, McCluggage, McInerney, McStay, Neale, Rayner, Rich
Richmond: Riewoldt 2, Rioli 2, Baker, Castagna, Cotchin, McIntosh

BEST
Brisbane: McCluggage, Rich, Cameron, Lyons, Neale, Zorko
Richmond: Prestia, Short, Lambert, Cotchin, Martin

INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Richmond: Nil

https://www.afl.com.au/news/513094/start-your-engines-lions-motor-into-prelim-after-ending-tiger-hoodoo

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Five things we learned: Brain fades still an issue for Tigers

Richmond's lack of discipline could be costly in the flag race, plus more lessons from Friday night's qualifying final

By Michael Whiting
afl.com.au
October 3, 2020

1. Richmond needs to fix its discipline
Just like it did in its round 11 loss to Port Adelaide, poor discipline cost Richmond. The most notable example came late in the second quarter when the Tigers conceded back-to-back 50m penalties to give up a goal to Lachie Neale. With the Tigers deep in attack late in the quarter, Marlion Pickett was pinged for a throw and then Shai Bolton gave away the first 50 for playing on. During an ensuing melee, Pickett gave Brisbane skipper Dayne Zorko an almighty shove to the Gabba turf, giving away a further 50. Neale punished the ill-discipline, bombing the set shot home from outside 50m. Oscar McInerney also kicked a goal after a 50m penalty.  Hardwick had sharply criticised his team for its discipline after the Port match and would be justified in doing so again.

2. Charlie shakes the Grimes-sized monkey off his back
When the teams met twice towards the end of last season, Dylan Grimes did a number on Charlie Cameron on both occasions. The Tigers' All-Australian got inside Cameron's head, happy to engage in wrestling contests and make sure the Lion could not use his greatest weapon – speed. But this time around the Brisbane star would have his revenge. After a quiet opening term, Cameron brought the Gabba to life with an early goal in the second and then a brilliant finish from a forward stoppage set play just before the main break. The lightning small forward finished with three goals for the night and had Liam Baker moved to him in the final term.

3. The ARC brought its finals game to the Gabba
The AFL's DrinkWise Score Review system has had its critics during its early stages but it produced the goods at a huge moment in the final quarter as the Tigers mounted their charge. Electric Richmond forward Shai Bolton swooped on a loose ball and threaded what appeared to be an impossible bouncing goal from the boundary line with Daniel Rich hot on his tail. The goal umpire signalled a major that would have cut the margin to nine points with six minutes to play, but the 'silent review' that takes place after every major spotted that the ball deviated slightly as it kissed the goalpost padding. The decision was correctly changed to a behind and the Lions' margin was pushed back out to 14 points. In hindsight, Bolton's muted reaction to one of the goals of the season suggested he knew the shot had brushed the post.

4. The Tigers desperately missed their spearhead
When Tom Lynch failed to overcome a hamstring injury in time to play, it was always going to be a blow for the Tigers, but perhaps not even they knew how much. When the teams met earlier this season in round 10, Lynch was a menace, outplaying Harris Andrews by kicking three goals and setting up another. But with no Lynch, Andrews – who overcame his own hamstring tear to play – controlled the air and was one of the most influential players on the ground. Mabior Chol, who replaced Lynch, took just one mark among his seven disposals. Richmond won the inside 50 count 49-45 but often looked out of sorts going forward. They'll be desperate to get Lynch back for next weekend's elimination final.

5. Rayner only needs small numbers for a big impact
The No.1 draft pick has got better and better in his third season and stepped up in the big moments once again. After struggling to find a touch early on, it took a scuffle with Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin to ignite him. Moments after the altercation, Cam Rayner streamed forward to bomb a goal from 55m to give his team the lead and the home crowd a huge lift. Early in the third quarter it was lovely hands from Rayner – when he first baulked a handball and then gave it to Charlie Cameron for a goal – that got the Lions rolling again. Rayner had just five disposals for the game but a huge impact with one goal and two assists.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/513378/five-things-we-learned-brain-fades-still-an-issue-for-tigers

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Brisbane Lions break Richmond dominance to enter preliminary final

Peter Ryan
The Age
October 3, 2020

The Brisbane Lions have ticked Richmond off the list of teams to beat defeating the defending premiers for the first time since 2009 to charge into a home preliminary final in a fortnight.

They are now just one win away from a grand final appearance at home in a season that has belonged in Queensland and might yet remain forever the Sunshine State if the Lions can keep up the form they displayed against the Tigers in their first preliminary final since 2004.

They had to sweat for the win however with Richmond charging in the final quarter as they tried to run down a 21-point deficit at three-quarter time. The Tigers drew within eight points with four minutes remaining - and could have been closer except for a goal to Shai Bolton being overturned when a review showed the ball had shaved the padding of the goalpost - before Hugh McCluggage snapped a goal to end the Lions' anxiety.

After an even first quarter it was a moment of madness from the Tigers just before half-time that transformed the contest.

Charlie Cameron had revved up the Gabba crowd when he jumped on his bike at a forward stoppage late in the second quarter, weaved through a narrow gap and kicked the goal from the chalk that connects the goal post to the point post.

He had just given the Lions a seven-point lead and a slight edge in a game both teams had controlled for periods without gaining a break.

Richmond won the next centre clearance but Lachie Neale, the Brownlow medal favourite who had waited until the five minute mark of the second quarter to get a touch, won a free kick when last year's fairytale story Marlion Pickett threw the ball.

Shai Bolton lazily kicked the ball at goal well after the whistle to give Neale a 50-metre penalty but that was just the start of the drama.

As Neale strolled towards his new mark, captain antagonist Dayne Zorko drew Pickett in and was shoved to the ground for his trouble.

The umpire awarded another 50-metre penalty placing Neale tantalisingly within range of goal at the edge of the centre square. This was his moment and the season's best performer took it after a moment's hesitation, kicking a long and high goal to stretch the margin to 13 points at half-time.

The momentum was with the home team who have spent winter in their own beds and the Tigers suddenly seemed a a fair way from their own home as the Lions entered the long break with a lead against Richmond for the first time since 2007.

Everyone expected Richmond to respond but the Lions were out of the blocks early as the lightning fast Cameron kicked a goal when Cameron Rayner - who showed his class at critical moments - put him into space.

Their pressure was high as they forced Richmond into uncharacteristic errors, the Tigers' famous surges short circuiting rather than firing.

If it wasn't Harris Andrews fist getting in the way of their forward thrusts it was a tackle either from Jarrod Berry who was brilliant in the third quarter or Zorko who laid a tackle on Dion Prestia early in the final quarter that showed how desperate they wanted to reach a home preliminary final.

Tom Lynch's absence from the Tigers' forwardline was huge with Andrews able to control the defence, spoiling whenever the ball arrived high and creating an option for the switch kick whenever the Lions won the ball back.

Richmond could not find a regular avenue to goal and their famous finals performances seemed a thing of the past as they lost the contest with Dustin Martin subdued after an explosive start.

The Tigers now face either St Kilda or the Western Bulldogs in the semi-final with a trip to Adelaide as the prize while the Lions stay at home not having to had to leave their home state since midway through the year.

Brisbane Lions: 3.1 7.2 9.6 10.9 (69)

Richmond: 4.1 5.1 6.3 8.6 (54)

Goals: Brisbane Lions: Cameron 3, Rich, McInerney, McStay, Rayner, Neale, Bailey, McCluggage

Richmond: Rioli 2, Riewoldt 2, Baker, Cotchin, McIntosh, Castagna

Best: Brisbane Lions: Andrews, Cameron, Rich Berry, Zorko, Neale, Lyons

Richmond: Martin, Short, Vlastuin, McIntosh, Bolton

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-finals-brisbane-lions-break-richmond-dominance-to-enter-preliminary-final-20201002-p561lg.html

[one-eyed]

Neale, Dusty and the tale of a Tiger defeat

Jake Niall
The Age
October 3, 2020

Lachie Neale entered this match at Winx odds to win the Brownlow and as the choice of players and AFL coaches as the competition's player of the COVID-19- interrupted season.

Dustin Martin entered this final as the game's greatest player; if you quibble at that description of Dusty, then, at the bare minimum, he's proven to be the best finals player in the AFL and the premier match-winner since 2017.

In a high calibre final that showcased both fast, fluent skills, astonishing pressure and brilliant goals from both sides, the momentum shifted according to a range of factors: Richmond's surprising dominance of clearances early and territorial advantage, Brisbane's tenacious defending and then counter-offensive in the second quarter.

But the game also swayed and was bent by the performances of Neale and Martin, the superstars, and the sublime intervention of Brisbane's Camerons - Charlie and Rayner.

From a Tiger perspective, there was another player whose absence, rather than presence was telling to the outcome: Tom Lynch. Without him, the Tigers found it so hard to penetrate Brisbane's defence, where Harris Andrews was able to take liberties that Lynch mightn't have permitted.

In the opening term and right up until mid-way through the second quarter, Dusty was rampant. In the corresponding final here last year, Martin had been subdued in the midfield before he was stationed forward, where he demolished the hapless, inefficient Lions with six goals.

This time, Dusty's influence was most pronounced closer to the midfield, where he had three clearances in the first term. For the period of Richmond's early advantage, he was in Martin-finals mode. He found Jack Riewoldt for an early settling goal with a trademark well-weighted pass. He cut through the Lions' as though they were standing still.

He created a goal for Jason Castagna in the second quarter that regained the lead, taking advantage of an advantage paid to find his team mate. Martin defines Richmond in this way too: He does not hesitate, he moves it on. The difference between he and nearly all other Tigers, is that he finds team mates - or scoring opportunities - not mere yardage.

Neale, meanwhile, had an embarrassing beginning to this final, not having a single disposal in the first term, as he found himself manned by a hell of a player at stoppages: Trent Cotchin.

But Neale, as with Dayne Zorko, Hugh McCluggage and Jarryd Lyons, was never going to be subdued for the match's duration.

In that decisive second quarter, when the Lions defended and then wrested the momentum, Neale began to win the footy and had perhaps the most fateful moment, when, as the Tigers had the kind of ill-discipline that had hitherto only happened in the hub, as a pair of 50m penalties - one against Shai Bolton, the other v Marlion Pickett - gave Neale a shot from 55 metres with 20 seconds left.

That Neale nailed the shot confirmed the trajectory of the match, which had been re-shaped first by defending, by Cameron's three blinding goals (two in the second quarter), and then by becoming impenetrable again.

Neale surged, Martin faded. Neale, the less potent player, went from zero to finish with 19 disposals - modest by his standards, but sufficient in a dog fight final.

Dusty, so often the weapon that finishes teams off, couldn't summon those knock out disposals or goals. Only once before over four years had he been more subdued in a final: against Collingwood, and their sole defeat in a final since 2017.

The Lions almost undid themselves late by a combination of conservatism and blown easy chances to McCluggage and Berry, as the Tigers closed to within eight points with sufficient time for a steal.

But, in a season of challenges and setbacks, the Richmond Football Club was undone, not by their own mistakes, or misdeeds, but by a team that hunted and stymied them, as they have stymied others.

It would be unwise to say that this was end of the road for Richmond, which will have to win next week and then face a formidable foe in the preliminary final, Port, at their fortress.

But they'll have to be a team for the ages to win the flag from here.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/neale-dusty-and-the-tale-of-a-tiger-defeat-20201002-p561lt.html