The Brisbane Lions are headed for a Semi-Final against Carlton after going down 38 to 87 to the Southport Sharks at home on in Saturday’s Smithy’s VFL Qualifying Final. 

The experienced Southport outfit proved too strong for the young Lions side with the visitors dominating play from the first bounce. 

In a physical and high-pressure contest, the Lions worked hard to keep the Sharks within arms reach for much of the first half.  

Critical goals from Tom Fullarton (2) and Kai Lohmann saw the Lions only trailing by 14 points at the main break.  

However, their grasp on the Sharks wasn’t maintained for long with the visitors finding another gear in the second half to register six goals to Brisbane’s two to finish with a 49-point margin, sending Brisbane to next week’s Semi-Final. 

Versatile utility Cal Ah Chee pressed his claims for a spot in Head Coach Chris Fagan’s Best 22 in this week’s elimination final, gathering 16 disposals from limited minutes on field after exiting Concussion Protocol last week. 

VFL-listed player Riley Greene was a highlight of the afternoon for the Lions, with the 20-year-old showing plenty of courage in the contest, including taking an impressive hangar towards the end of the first quarter. 

Connor McFadyen proved critical in defence for the young Lions outfit, putting the Southport forwards under plenty of pressure as he finished the day with 19 disposals, four marks, two clearances. 

First-year Jimmy Tunstill stepped up for the Lions’ midfield, doing his best to stem the flow of Southport traffic to finish with 25 disposals, five clearances and three inside 50s. 

The Brisbane Lions will now face Carlton in the Smithy’s VFL Semi-Final next weekend. Details will be announced in coming days. 

Goals: Fullarton (2), Lohmann, Reville, Sharp 

Best: Greene, McFadyen, Tunstill, Buzza, Reville