Brisbane has survived a huge scare, edging past Gold Coast to win by four points in a tense QClash at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
In a fiery contest marred by some heated first-half moments, the Lions overturned a nine-point deficit in the final quarter to win 10.18 (78) to 11.8 (74).
The victory is Brisbane's fifth of the season and reverses the five-point loss suffered in the clash between the teams earlier in the year.
Allen Christensen kicked a goal early in the final term after a 50m penalty, and when Dayne Beams and Lewy Taylor followed suit, the Lions had a lead they would not relinquish.
A Jarryd Lyons goal with two minutes remaining made for a nervous finish, but a Stefan Martin contested mark on the wing sealed
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said it was a relief to win a close game.
"From our
"It was good in a sense to grind away and win a game.
"It didn't look good and our boys found something. With all the close losses this year … it's good for them to get over the line in one of those games."
Beams was magnificent for the victors, winning the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for best afield with 38 disposals and nine clearances.
It is the third time in the past four matches Beams has been named the game's best player.
Harris Andrews also starred, controlling the backline and kicking a crucial goal on the three-quarter time siren when swung forward.
After losing five games by seven points or less, the Lions finally won a close
Alex Sexton was terrific in defeat, kicking four goals, while Touk Miller again kept Dayne Zorko quiet, limiting the Lions All Australian to just 17 disposals.
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew said he did not reference Robertson's words in his pre-match address, but his team "put their head over the ball" all night.
"I think both sides will look back and see they had chances, ours late, they had a lot of chances early," Dew said.
"It's disappointing. You can't question our effort, I think our boys played hard all night and unfortunately… it would have been nice to come away with a win."
Emotions spilled over midway through the second term when Sean Lemmens hit young Lion Brandon Starcevich late and high in a marking contest.
Not surprisingly Mitch Robinson was the first man on the scene to remonstrate with Lemmens, which in turn brought players flying in from both teams.
Zorko ended up on the ground via a Miller shove and when the teams settled, Gold Coast got back to playing footy and lifted their intensity.
Marcus Ashcroft Medal Votes Tally:
Dayne Beams - 9 (3, 3, 3)
Brayden Fiorini - 4 (2, 2)
Alex Sexton - 3 (2, 1)
Stefan Martin - 2 (1, 1)
NEXT UP
Brisbane has a tough task to finish its season, hosting West Coast at the Gabba next Sunday afternoon. Gold Coast has an even taller order, travelling to Geelong next Saturday to play a Cats team that has to win to secure their finals position.
GOLD COAST 1.2 6.4 8.6 11.8 (74)
BRISBANE 3.5 6.10 7.15 10.18 (78)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Sexton 4, Ainsworth, Bowes, Crossley, Fiorini, Holman, Lyons, Young
Brisbane: Taylor 2, Andrews, Beams, Christensen, Mathieson, McCluggage, Rayner, Starcevich, Walker
BEST
Gold Coast: Sexton, Bowes, Miller, Swallow, Fiorini, Harbrow
Brisbane: Beams, McCluggage, Hodge, Andrews, Berry, Martin
MEDICAL ROOM
Gold Coast: After a rough year with injuries, the Suns got through unscathed in this one.
Brisbane: Young defender Alex Witherden hobbled off in the first quarter with a left hamstring injury and did not return. Coach Chris Fagan said the defender would not play in the final round.
Reports:
Umpires:
Official crowd: 11, 907 at Metricon Stadium
