Only three Brisbane players have polled in the Brownlow Medal on debut. Inaugural captain Mark Mickan in 1987, enigmatic draftee Brad Rowe in 1990 and the most unlikely AFL ruckman of all-time, Darryl White, in 1992.
Will Ashcroft will not be a fourth. The Lions were beaten by 54 points by Port Adelaide in his debut. But there’s every chance he goes into the club record books alongside Matthew Campbell as a vote-getter in his second game.
In Round 2 this year, as the Lions bounced back to beat Melbourne by 11 points at the Gabba in Ashcroft’s second game, the then 18-year-old had a team-high 31 possessions, a team-high nine clearances and kicked a goal.
He polled eight votes in the coaches award, behind only ex-captain Dayne Zorko (10) and ahead of teammates Harris Andrews (6), Josh Dunkley (2) and Charlie Cameron (1) and Melbourne’s Jake Lever (2) and Clayton Oliver (1).
This suggests he receive strong consideration from the umpires’ votes, especially given his very public introduction to the AFL and the fact that he would have been well-known to the officials.
It is an elite group in club history, with only 15 players making their AFL debut in Brisbane colors having polled in the medal in their first 10 games.
Mickan did so in the club’s very first game in 1987 before Rowe, a first-round draftee from East Fremantle, polled in the first of just 14 Brisbane games in 1990 before switching to Collingwood and later Fremantle. And White was judged best afield on debut playing as a makeshift ruckman in 1992.
Matthew Campbell, like Mickan a priority selection by the Bears from South Australia, polled in the club’s second game and his second game in 1987, while Darren Carlson, a Southport junior picked up by the Bears in 1987, polled in his fourth game later in the same year.
Dayne Zorko and recent Lions Hall of Famer Daniel Bradshaw polled in their fifth game, David Bain and Nathan Buckley in their sixth game, Matthew Leuenberger and Matthew Simpson in their seventh game, and Daniel Merrett in his eighth.
Completing the list are Michael Voss, Chris Scott and Michael Rischitelli, who each were among the votes in their 10th game.
If Ashcroft is among the votes in Round 2 he would be 16 games quicker but 15 days older than his father Marcus, who polled three votes in his 18th game in 1990.
This will be one of a string of hot watch points for Lions players in Monday night’s medal count, when Lachie Neale is at short odds to top the Brisbane count.
Following here for the dedicated Lions fan is a Brownlow Medal Form Guide, with all the facts and figures from each game, including ‘Coachlow’ votes, which are calculated by converting the 5-4-3-2-1 votes of each coach in the AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year Award into notional 3-2-1 Brownlow votes.
ROUND 1 – BRISBANE v PORT ADELAIDE – ADELAIDE OVAL – SATURDAY 18 MARCH - 4.05pm
It was a slow and sombre start to the season as the Lions, coming off an unbeaten pre-season, copped a 54-point hiding from Port Adelaide in Adelaide. No Brisbane votes.
Port Adelaide 3-5 5-9 13-13 18-18 (126)
Brisbane 2-1 8-3 09-5 11-6 (72)
Goals: Port: Marshall 4, Dixon 3, Jones 3, Rioli 3, Georgiades, Horne-Francis, Powell-Pepper, Rozee, Wines. Bris: Bailey 2, Gunston 2, Ashcroft, Daniher, Hipwood, McCarthy, McInerney, McKenna, Rich.
Poss: Port: Wines 29, Byrne-Jones 27, Horne-Francis 25, Burton 24, Butters 24, Bergman 23, Rozee 23. Bris: Rich 26, McKenna 20, Neale 20, Dunkley 19, Bailey 16, Berry 15, Coleman 15.
Coaches Votes: Horne-Francis (PA) 9, Burton (PA) 7, Dixon (PA) 6, Aliir (PA) 5, Rozee (PA) 5.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Horne-Francis (PA) 3, Burton (PA) 2, Dixon (PA) 1.
ROUND 2 – BRISBANE v MELBOURNE – GABBA – FRIDAY 24 MARCH – 6.55pm
It was the now famous ‘lights out’ game when, with Brisbane 40 points up 12 minutes from full-time, the Gabba was plunged into darkness. After a 40-minute delay, with nothing to lose the Demons kicked five late goals to cut the eventual margin to 11 points. Surely Will Ashcroft’s first votes.
Brisbane 6-2 8-4 13-5 14-9 (93)
Melbourne 2-1 5-2 7-3 13-4 (82)
Goals: Bris: Daniher 4, Bailey 2, Cameron 2, Zorko 2, Ashcroft, Berry, McCarthy, McInerney. Melb: Brown 4, Fritsch 3, Oliver, Petracca, Hunter, Neal-Bullen, Chandler, McDonald.
Poss: Bris: Ashcroft 31, Neale 27, Dunkley 26, Zorko 22, Andrews 22, McCluggage 21. Melb: Oliver 37, Brayshaw 27, Petracca 24, Hunter 22, Sparrow 21, Lever 20.
Coaches Votes: Zorko (B) 10, Ashcroft (B) 8, Andrews (B) 6, Dunkley (B) 2, Lever (M) 2, Cameron (B) 1, Oliver (M) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Zorko (B) 3, Ashcroft (B) 2, Andrews (B) 1.
ROUND 3 – BRISBANE v W/BULLDOGS – MARVEL STADIUM – THURSDAY 30 MARCH – 7.20pm
The Lions’ mixed start continued when, coming off back-to-back six-day breaks, the Lions fell by 12 points to the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Brisbane 1-3 2-7 6-8 7-11 (53)
Western Bulldogs 1-2 4-3 8-4 10-7 (67)
Goals: Bris: Gunston 3, Cameron, Hipwood, Neale, Rayner. WB: Ugle-Hagan 5, Lobb 2, Baker, Naughton, Williams.
Poss: Bris: Neale 31, Dunkley 24, Ashcroft 23, Andrews 21, Starcevich 20. WB: Dale 30, Macrae 30, Liberatore 29, Bontempelli 28, Treloar 28, Richards 25.
Coaches Votes: Bontempelli (WB) 10, Ugle-Hagen (WB) 7, Andrews (B) 7, Neale (B) 3, English (WB) 2, Dale (WB) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Bontempelli (WB) 3, Ugle-Hagen (WB) 1.5, Andrews (B) 1.5.
ROUND 4 – BRISBANE v COLLINGWOOD– GABBA – THURSDAY 6 APRIL – 7.35pm
A Gabba sellout set the scene for an Easter Thursday blockbuster which lived right up to expectations. After being 11 points down at quarter-time the Lions grabbed the upper hand in the second term and claimed a 33-point win after a six-goal haul from Charlie Cameron.
Brisbane 3-2 9-4 14-6 18-8 (116)
Collingwood 5-3 5-6 8-12 11-17 (83)
Goals: Bris: Cameron 6, Rayner 4, Daniher 2, Hipwood 2, Berry, Prior, Wilmot, Zorko. Coll: Mihocek 3, N Daicos 2, Hill 2, Adams, Crisp, deGoey, Johnson.
Poss: Bris: Ashcroft 26, Dunkley 25, McCluggage 22, Neale 22, Berry 21, Daniher 20. Coll: N Daicos 38, Pendlebury 26, Maynard 25, J Daicos 23, deGoey 21, T Mitchell 20, Quaynor 20.
Coaches Votes: Cameron (B) 9, Rayner (B) 8, N Daicos (C) 7, McInerney (B) 2, Daniher (B) 2, Maynard (C) 1, McKenna (B) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Cameron (B) 3, Rayner (B) 2, N Daicos (C) 1.
ROUND 5 – BRISBANE v NORTH MELBOURNE – MT.BARKER – SATURDAY 15 APRIL - 12.40pm
For the first time in AFL history all clubs played in the same city when Adelaide hosted Gather Round. The Lions pumped North Melbourne at Mt.Barker in the Adelaide Hills, with ‘local’ Lachie Neale putting on a clinic.
Brisbane 5-1 10-6 17-13 22-20 (152)
North Melb 5-1 7-1 9-2 12-5 (77)
Goals: Bris: Daniher 5, Cameron 4, Hipwood 4, Berry 2, Rayner 2, Fort, McCluggage, McKenna, Wilmot, Zorko. North: Stephenson 4, Comben 2, Larkey, Phillips, Powell, Sheezel, Shiels, Taylor.
Poss: Bris: Neale 37, Dunkley 25, Ashcroft 23, Zorko 22, McCluggage 21, Bailey 21. North: Sheezel 31, Ziebell 24, Davies-Uniacke 23, Howe 23, Cunnington 22, Powell 21.
Coaches Votes: Neale (B) 10, Daniher (B) 8, Hipwood (B) 6, Zorko (B) 3, Dunkley (B) 3.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Neale (B) 3, Daniher (B) 2, Hipwood (B) 1.
ROUND 6 – BRISBANE v GWS GIANTS – CANBERRA – SATURDAY 22 April – 4.35pm
Charlie Cameron kicked a career-best and equal ground record seven goals as the Lions got the better of the GWS Giants in Canberra despite the Giants having an astronomical 414 possessions, with 11 players at 20-plus and a team advantage of 97 possessions.
Brisbane 5-3 9-6 14-5 16-12 (108)
GWS 2-2 6-4 10-7 13-9 (87)
Goals: Bris: Cameron 7, Gunston 2, Hipwood 2, Ashcroft, Bailey, Daniher, McCarthy, Rayner. GWS: Daniels 4, O’Halloran 3, Greene 2, Hogan 2, Cadman, Himmelberg.
Possessions: Bris: Rich 27, Dunkley 21, McCluggage 21, Neale 20, Ashcroft 19, Bailey 17, Zorko 17. GWS: Kelly 41,, Coniglio 38, Haynes 27, Perryman 24, Whitfield 23, T Greene 22, Angwin 20, Ash 20, Buckley 20, Daniels 20, Himmelberg 20.
Coaches Votes: Cameron (B) 10, Payne (B) 7, Kelly (GWS) 7, Rich (B) 3, Coniglio (GWS) 2, Haynes (GWS) 2, Starcevich (B) 1, Daniels (GWS) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Cameron (B) 3, Payne (B) 1.5, Kelly (GWS) 1.5.
ROUND 7 – BRISBANE v FREMANTLE – GABBA – SATURDAY 29 APRIL 1.45pm
The Lions celebrated Anzac Day at the Gabba with a 48-point win over Fremantle. Ex-Docker Lachie Neale had a day out against his former side to top the coaches votes.
Brisbane 3-5 8-7 13-10 17-13 (115)
Fremantle 1-3 3-6 8-6 10-7 (67)
Poss: Bris: Neale 35, Dunkley 28, Ashcroft 28, McCluggage 21, Rich 20, Andrews 20. Frem: Young 33, Brayshaw 30, Serong 27, Brodie 24, Cox 23, Johnson 22, Clark 20.
Goals: Bris: McCarthy 3, Daniher 3, Ashcroft 2, Bailey 2, Cameron 2, Gunston, McKenna, Rayner. Frem: O’Meara 2, Brayshaw 2, Switkowski 2, Jackson, O’Driscoll, Walters, Amiss.
Coaches Votes: Neale (B) 10, Ashcroft (B) 7, McInerney (B) 5, Starcevich (B) 3, Zorko (B) 3, Dunkley (B) 2.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Neale (B) 3, Ashcroft (B) 2, McInerney (B) 1.
ROUND 8 – BRISBANE v CARLTON – MARVEL STADIUM – FRIDAY 5 MAY – 7.50pm
The Lions enjoyed a rare Friday night time-slot in Melbourne as they beat Carlton at Marvel Stadium three days after the AFL had issued a provisional licence to Tasmania. Josh Dunkley, who finished top 20 in the medal with 15 votes in 2019 and 14 votes last year, can look forward to his first Brisbane votes after 33 possessions and 13 tackles. In contention for his first career votes in the same game will be Jack Payne, who held Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow to one goal.
Brisbane 5-3 7-7 12-9 15-10 (100)
Carlton 5-1 6-3 6-5 11-8 (74)
Poss: Bris: Dunkley 33, Berry 29, McCluggage 27, Neale 20, McInerney 16, Answerth 16. Carl: Cerra 33, Docherty 29, Acres 29, Walsh 28, Hewett 26, Saad 23.
Goals: Bris: Cameron 4, Bailey 4, Gunston 2, Daniher 2, McCarthy, Sharp, Hipwood. Carl: Motlop 2, Durdin 2, McKay, C Curnow, E Curnow, Docherty, Hollands, Cerra, Kennedy.
Coaches Votes: Dunkley (B) 10, Payne (B) 8, Cameron (4), Cerra (C) 3, Andrews (B) 3, Bailey (B) 1, McCluggage (B) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Dunkley (B) 3, Payne (B) 2, Cameron (B) 1.
ROUND 9 – BRISBANE v ESSENDON – GABBA – SATURDAY 13 MAY – 7.25PM
Ex-Bomber Joe Daniher had a night out against his old club, kicking six goals in a 42-point Lions win.
Brisbane 2-2 2-7 7-11 12-15 (87)
Essendon 1-3 4-5 5-6 6-9 (45)
Poss: Bris: Neale 34, Ashcroft 28, McCluggage 26, Zorko 25, Dunkley 22, Coleman 20, Rayner 20. Ess: Redman 30, Merrett 23, Setterfield 23, Hobbs 22, Heppell 21, Hind 20.
Goals: Bris: Daniher 6, Bailey 2, Rayner, Hipwood, McInerney, McCarthy. Ess: Langford 2, Stringer, Perkins, McDonald-Tipungwuti.
Coaches Votes: Daniher (B) 10, Neale (B) 7, McGrath (E) 4, Lester (B) 3, McInerney (B) 3, Redman (E) 2, Andrews (B) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Daniher (B) 3, Neale (B) 2, McGrath (E) 1.
ROUND 10 – BRISBANE v GOLD COAST – GABBA – SATURDAY 20 MAY – 7.30PM
Lincoln McCarthy celebrated his 100th game for the Lions in Indigenous Round jumpers designed by former players Des Headland and Ash McGrath.
Brisbane 4-2 6-6 10-8 16-11 (107)
Gold Coast 2-5 5-6 8-9 9-10 (64)
Poss: Bris: Neale 35, Ashcroft 30, McCluggage 30, Dunkley 29, Wilmot 22, Berry 20. GC: Humphrey 26, Fiorini 21, Swallow 21, Atkins 20, Macpherson 20.
Goals: Bris: Daniher 4, Hipwood 2, McCarthy 2, Cameron 2, Ashcroft, McCluggage, Berry, Gunston, Bailey, Sharp. GC: King 3, Lukosius 2, Casboult, Holman, Humphrey, Rosas.
Coaches Votes: Neale (B) 9, Dunkley (B) 6, Ashcroft (B) 5, Daniher (B) 5, McCluggage (B) 3, Humphrey (GC) 1, Ballard (GC) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Neale (B) 3, Dunkley (B) 2, Ashcroft (B) 0.5, Daniher (B) 0.5.
ROUND 11 – BRISBANE v ADELAIDE – ADELAIDE OVAL – SUNDAY 27 May – 4.40pm
A seven-game Brisbane winning streak came to a halt in Adelaide against a Crows outfit which had climbed into the top eight and were starting to look like a genuine finals threat.
Brisbane 3-5 5-8 6-17 10-18 (78)
Adelaide 3-3 7-7 10-8 14-11 (95)
Poss: Bris: Dunkley 29, Neale 26, Bailey 25, Rich 24, Zorko 22, Coleman 18, McCarthy 18, Ashcroft 17. Adel: Dawson 32, Keays 28, Laird 27, Rankine 23, Milera 22, Sholl 20.
Goals: Bris: Cameron 4, Daniher 2, Rich, Zorko, McCluggage, Rayner. Adel: Walker 3, Pedler 2, Rankine 2, Thilthorpe 2, Keays, Soligo, McHenry, Rachele, Fogarty.
Coaches Votes: Laird (A) 10, Rankine (A) 8, Dawson (A) 6, Neale (B) 2, Dunkley (B) 2, Bailey (B) 1, Cameron (B) 1.
Coachlow Votes: Laird (A) 3, Rankine (A) 2, Dawsons (A) 1.
ROUND 12 – BRISBANE - BYE
ROUND 13 – BRISBANE v HAWTHORN – MCG – SATURDAY 10 JUNE – 1.45pm
Not a good day for the Lions as they fell by 25 points to Hawthorn at the MCG.
Brisbane 3-2 8-3 10-3 11-7 (73)
Hawthorn 4-1 5-4 11-7 15-8 (98)
Poss: Bris: Neale 30, Dunkley 28, Ashcroft 20, Bailey 19, Robertson 19, McCluggage 18, Wilmot 18. Haw: Sicily 32, Worpel 30, Impey 28, C Macdonald 28, Newcombe 28, Day 27, Moore 25, Nash 25.
Goals: Bris: Hipwood 4, Rayner 2, Cameron 2, Dunkley, Ashcroft, McCarthy. Haw: Lewis 4, Koschitzke 3, C Macdonald 2, Moore 2, Butler 2, Meek, Breust.
Coaches Votes: C Macdonald (H) 9, Newcombe (H) 7, Sicily (H) 5, Dunkley (B) 4, Impey (H) 3, Moore (H) 2, Hipwood (B) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: C Macdonald (H) 3, Newcombe (H) 2, Sicily (H) 1.
ROUND 14 – BRISBANE v SYDNEY – GABBA – FRIDAY 16 JUNE – 7.50pm
Jaspa Fletcher made his AFL debut, Cam Rayner celebrated his 100th game and Darcy Wilmot won a nomination for the AFL Rising Star Award as the Lions posted a hard-fought win over Sydney.
Brisbane 2-2 7-5 10-13 13-19 (97)
Sydney 4-2 6-6 8-6 12-9 (81)
Poss: Bris: Neale 29, Dunkley 28, Bailey 26, Ashcroft 23, Coleman 20, Wilmot 19. Syd: Gulden 27, Lloyd 27, Blakey 24, Parker 24, Rowbottom 23, Sheldrick 19.
Goals: Bris: Bailey 2, Berry 2, Daniher 2, Hipwood 2, McInerney, McKenna, Robertson, Rayner, Fletcher. Syd: Gulden 2, Sheldrick 2, Parker, Rowbottom, Amartey, Campbell, J McInerney, Papley, Hayward, Wicks.
Coaches Votes: Bailey (B) 10, Neale (B) 6, Cunningham (S) 5, Ashcroft (B) 4, O McInerney (B) 3, Dunkley (B) 1, Lester (B) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Bailey (B) 3, Neale (B) 2, Cunningham (S) 1.
ROUND 15 – BRISBANE v ST.KILDA – MARVEL STADIUM – FRIDAY 23 June – 7.50pm
The Lions travelled to Melbourne to play St.Kilda on a Friday night at Marvel and were untroubled to post a 28-point win over one of the surprise packets of the 2023 season.
Brisbane 3-4 5-8 9-8 12-12 (84)
St.Kilda 1-0 2-3 6-5 8-8 (56)
Poss: Bris: Neale 29, Dunkley 26, Andrews 21, McCluggage 20, Berry 19, Daniher 19. StK: Sinclair 36, B Crouch 25, B Hill 25, Wanganeen-Milera 24, Wood 24, Steele 21.
Goals: Bris: Hipwood 4, Daniher 2, Dunkley, Berry, Bailey, Coleman, Rayner, Cameron. StK: Sinclair, B Hill, Wanganeen-Milera, Gresham, Higgins, Butler, Caminiti, Byrnes.
Coaches Votes: Andrews (B) 10, Hipwood (B) 8, Neale (B) 6, Sinclair (StK) 3, McInerney (B) 3.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Andrews (B) 3, Hipwood (B) 2, Neale (B) 1.
ROUND 16 – BRISBANE v RICHMOND – GABBA – THURSDAY 29 June – 7.20pm
The Lions thumped the 2017-19-20 premiers by 81 points at the Gabba in a Thursday night Gabba sellout.
Brisbane 4-6 9-7 15-13 20-14 (134)
Richmond 1-3 1-7 4-7 7-11 (53)
Poss: Bris: McCluggage 34, Neale 34, Ashcroft 27, Coleman 23, McKenna 22, Wilmot 21, Dunkley 20. Rich: Balta 24, Hopper 22, Broad 21, Ross 21, Taranto 21, Vlastuin 20.
Goals: Bris: Daniher 5, McCarthy 3, Neale 2, Bailey 2, Cameron 2, Hipwood 2, McKenna, Wilmot, Berry, Ah Chee. Rich: Hopper 2, Ross, D Rioli, Clarke, Cumberland, Short.
Coaches Votes: Neale (B) 10, McCluggage (B) 7, Daniher (B) 6, Ashcroft (B) 5, Wilmot (B) 1, McKenna (B) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Neale (B) 3, McCluggage (B) 2, Daniher (B) 1.
ROUND 17 – BRISBANE v WEST COAST – GABBA – SAYURDAY 8 JULY – 1.45pm
Jack Gunston returned from an injury-forced month off to kick an equal career-best six goals in a comfortable Saturday afternoon romp against an undermanned West Coast. Perhaps his first Brisbane votes after 47 votes in 11 years at Hawthorn, with a best of 10 votes in 2018.
Brisbane 7-3 10-8 13-14 16-20 (116)
West Coast 2-0 2-2 3-3 5-5 (35)
Poss: Bris: Neale 32, Lyons 29, Ashcroft 28,, Bailey 21, Rayner 21, Gunston 20, McCluggage 20. WC: Duggan 33, Hunt 27, Kelly 26, Hough 22, Witherden 22, McGovern 20.
Goals: Bris: Gunston 3, Daniher 2, Bailey 2,, McCarthy 2, Cameron 2, Lyons, Ashcroft, Fletcher, McInerney, Hipwood. WC: Hunt, Kelly, Darling, Allen, J Williams.
Coaches Votes: Andrews (B) 10, Neale (B) 7, Gunston (7), Hough (WC) 2, Rayner (B) 2, Ashcroft (B) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Andrews (B) 3, Neale (B) 1.5, Gunston (B) 1.5.
ROUND 18 – BRISBANE v MELBOURNE – MCG – FRIDAY 14 JULY – 7.50pm
It was 3 v 4 as the Lions headed to the MCG on a Friday night to play a ‘mini final’ against Melbourne. A chance to test themselves at ‘headquarters’ against a quality opposition. And while they didn’t get the result they were after, going down by a solitary point in a classic, the Lions proved at least to themselves that they can play at the MCG.
Brisbane 3-3 8-4 15-7 16-8 (104)
Melbourne 6-2 8-3 12-4 16-9 (105)
Poss: Bris: Daniher 24, McCluggage 22, Bailey 19, Lyons 19, McKenna 19, Neale 19, Coleman 18. Melb: Brayshaw 29, Gawn 29, Hunter 26, Petracca 26, VIney 25, Neal-Bullen 21.
Goals: Bris: Gunston 3, Daniher 2, Bailey 2,, McCarthy 2, Cameron 2, Lyons, Ashcroft, Fletcher, McInerney, Hipwood. Melb: Petracca 4, Pickett 3, Melksham 2, Bowey, Brown, Gawn, Neal-Bullen, Spargo, Viney, Woewodin.
Coaches Votes: Gawn 10 (M), Petracca (M) 8, Daniher (B) 6, Melksham (M) 3, Bailey (B) 2, Viney (M) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Gawn (M) 3, Petracca (M) 2, Daniher (B) 1.
ROUND 19 – BRISBANE v GEELONG – GABBA – SATURDAY 22 JULY – 4.35pm
It was like another mini-final as the Lions hosted premiers Geelong, leading at every change to win by 11 points on the back of a standout game from Callum AhChee, who can look forward to his first career votes after he had 23 possessions and kicked a goal.
Brisbane 2-5 4-8 7-9 9-10 (64)
Geelong 0-3 1-5 3-8 7-11 (53)
Poss: Bris: Dunkley 27, McCluggage 26, Neale 25, Ah Chee 23, McKenna 23, Wilmot 23, Coleman 21, Daniher 21. Geel: Stewart 25, Bowes 24, Duncan 23, Blicavs 18, Z Guthrie 18.
Goals: Bris: Daniher 2, McCarthy 2, Hipwood 2, Ah Chee, McKenna, C Cameron. Geel: J Cameron 3, Dangerfield 2, O Henry, Stengle.
Coaches Votes: Ah Chee (B) 7, Stewart (G) 7, Dunkley (B) 6, McCluggage (B) 4, Neale (B) 3, Andrews (B) 2, McKenna (B) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Ah Chee (B) 2.5, Stewart (G) 2.5, Dunkley (B) 1.
ROUND 20 – BRISBANE v GOLD COAST – CARRARA – SATURDAY 29 JULY – 4.35pm
A shocker. Coming off two huge build-ups against Melbourne and Geelong, and on a 10-game winning streak against the Suns, the Lions travelled down the highway to Carrara to fall well short. They were flat. No Brisbane votes.
Brisbane 3-3 4-6 6-10 7-13 (55)
Gold Coast 2-2 5-3 10-3 15-6 (96)
Goals: Bris: Cameron 2, Hipwood, Lohmann, McCarthy, McCluggage, Zorko. GC: King 5, Ainsworth, Casboult 2, Anderson, Ellis, Rowell, Macpherson, Rosas, Farrar.
Poss: Bris: Dunkley 30, McCluggage 28, Coleman 21, Wilmot 21, Berry 20, Ryan 20. GC: Flanders 32, Anderson 29, Miller 29, Atkins 28, Powell 28, Swallow 23, Ellis 21, Ainsworth 20.
Coaches Votes: Miller (GC) 10, King (GC) 7, Anderson (GC) 6, Dunkley (B) 3, Witts (GC) 2, Rowell (GC) 1, Powell (GC) 1.
“Coachlow” Votes: Miller (GC) 3, King (GC) 2, Dunkley (B) 1.
ROUND 21 – BRISBANE v FREMANTLE – PERTH STADIUM – SUNDAY 6 AUGUST– 2.40pm (WA time)
The Lions travelled across the country to face a Fremantle outfit that was fighting for its finals life and took the points in a thriller.
Brisbane 1-4 3-5 8-8 11-11 (77)
Fremantle 2-2 5-4 8-8 11-8 (74)
Poss: Bris: Berry 28, Neale 25, Bailey 22, McCluggage 22, Zorko 20, Rayner 19. Frem: Serong 35, Brayshaw 29, Young 29, Henry 24, Jackson 24, Ryan 21, Clark 20.
Goals: Bris: Daniher 2, Cameron 2, Gunston 2, Berry, McCluggage, McCarthy, Hipwood, AhChee 1. Frem: Sturt 3, Frederick 2, Schultz 2, Jackson, Treacy, Amiss, Corbett 1.
Coaches Votes: Jackson (F) 10, Berry (B), Serong (F) 3, Young (F) 4, McCluggage (B) 2, McCarthy (B) 2, Andrews (B) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Jackson (F) 3, Berry (B) 2, Serong (F) 0.5, Young (F) 0.5.
ROUND 22 – BRISBANE v ADELAIDE – GABBA – SAYURDAY 12 AUGUST – 4.35pm
High McCluggage played his 150th AFL game and Conor McKenna his 100th as the Lions out-lasted the Crows by a goal to avenge their Round 11 loss in Adelaide.
Brisbane 4-4 7-6 14-8 15-9 (99)
Adelaide 4-1 7-7 11-10 13-15 (93)
Posse: Bris: McCluggage 28, Neale 23, Berry 19, Zorko 19, Bailey 18, Wilmot 17. Adel: Laird 34, M Crouch 33, Milera 28, Dawson 24, Hinge 22, Schoenberg 21, Soligo 20.
Goals: Bris: Cameron 3, McCluggage 2, Bailey 2, McCarthy 2, Wilmot, Andrews, Rayner, Robertson, Daniher, Hipwood. Adel: McAdam 4, Keays 2, Walker 2, Pedlar 2, Schoenberg, Rachele, Thilthorpe.
Coaches Votes: McCluggage (B) 9, Andrews (B) 7, Cameron (B) 5, M Crouch (A) 4, Dawson (A) 30, Keays (A) 1, McAdam (A) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: McCluggage (B) 3, Andrews (B) 2, Cameron (B) 1.
ROUND 23 – BRISBANE v COLLINGWOOD – MARVEL STADIUM – FRIDAY 18 AUGUST – 7.50pm
It was second-placed Brisbane against ladder-leaders Collingwood at Marvel Stadium on a Friday night. Finals aside, as big a game as the Lions will play. And they were up for the fight. They beat the eventual minor premiers by 24 points to give them a 2-0 record this season against a side that only lost five games.
Brisbane 6-2 9-3 14-7 19-10 (124)
Collingwood 4-2 6-5 12-7 15-10 (100)
Poss: Bris: Neale 31, McKenna 26, Dunkley 25, Zorko 23, Berry 21, Coleman 21, McCluggage 20. Coll: Mitchell 31, Pendlebury 31, J Daicos 26, Crisp 24, Maynard 20, Cameron 17, Sidebottom 17.
Goals: Bris: Cameron 4, Daniher 3, Hipwood 3, Bailey 2, Rayner 2, Ah Chee 2, Coleman, Fletcher, McCarthy 1. Coll: Elliott 3, Mihocek 2, McStay 2, Howe 2, Pendlebury, J Daicos, Cameron, Noble, Ginnivan, Cox 1.
Coaches Votes: Neale (B) 9, Pendlebury (C) 9, C Cameron (B) 4, Hipwood (B) 4, Zorko (B) 2, Dunkley (B) 2.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Neale (B) 2.5, Pendlebury (C) 2.5, C Cameron (B) 0.5, Hipwood (B) 0.5.
ROUND 24 – BRISBANE v ST.KILDA – GABBA – SATURDAY 26 AUGUST – 4.35pm
The Lions closed out the home-and-away season with a workmanlike 12-point Gabba win over St.Kilda to finish with a club record 17 home-and-away wins.
Brisbane 2-8 4-11 7-11 9-18 (72)
St.Kilda 3-1 3-3 7-5 9-6 (60)
Poss: Bris: Neale 30, Berry 25, Zorko 22, McCluggage 21, Wilmot 20, Dunkley 19. StK: Sinclair 30, B Crouch 26, Marshall 24, Windhager 22, Gresham 21, Wilkie 21, Wanganeen-Milera 20.
Goals: Bris: Daniher 2, Cameron 2, Zorko, McCluggage, McInerney, Rayner, Fletcher. StK: Membrey 3, B Crouch, Gresham, Wood, Butler, Phillipou, Hayes.
Coaches Votes: Neale (B) 9, Zorko (B) 6, Berry (B) 6, McInerney (B) 4, Wilmot (B) 2, Daniher (B) 2, Marshall (StK) 1.
‘Coachlow’ Votes: Neale (B) 3, Zorko (B) 1.5, Berry (B) 1.5.
