THE BRISBANE Lions will take on a record-breaking Fremantle outfit at the Gabba on Sunday after the Dockers became the first team in history to lose five consecutive games having led at three-quarter-time.

It was a genuine case of déjà vu all over again for Freo fans, who watched as Port Adelaide overran their side in the last quarter at Subiaco to finish 28-point victors

Fremantle was outscored six goals to one in the last quarter and 14 goals to five after the first break – at which time the home side had led by three goals.
The Dockers won the inside-50s 51-38, but their day was best summed up in the last quarter, when skipper Matthew Pavlich drilled a kickable and pivotal set shot into the post for the second week in succession.

In other weekend action, Essendon threatened to hand inaccurate Adelaide a second straight surprise defeat before eventually succumbing by five points, Collingwood belted West Coast by an even 100 points, and the Western Bulldogs dealt Hawthorn its first defeat for the year by 32 points.

Geelong bounced back to form and beat Carlton by 56 points, the Sydney Swans annihilated Richmond by 82 points, and St Kilda had no trouble taking care of Melbourne by 79 points.

For performances of the week, it’s difficult to go past those of Lions stars Jonathan Brown and Simon Black.

Brown booted 6.7 and had 19 possessions and 13 marks against the Kangaroos, despite missing half of the third quarter with a hyper-extended knee. Black, meanwhile, amassed 30 possessions – continuing a run in which he has averaged 29 possessions per game since returning from a groin injury in round eight.

Adelaide 9.20 (74) d Essendon 10.9 (69)
The struggling Bombers almost made the unconvincing Crows pay for inaccuracy – especially a third quarter that netted only 3.10. In a bona fide nail-biter, Essendon jumped out of the blocks with the first three goals, then just failed with a last-quarter comeback after Adelaide had the better of the middle two terms.

Collingwood 27.11 (173) d West Coast 10.13 (63)
West Coast’s revival was short-lived, coming to grief at the hands of the rejuvenated Magpies – suddenly one of the form teams of the competition. A fortnight ago, there were plenty of questions about the Pies. But Mick Malthouse’s charges have answered them with successive victories over Geelong and the Eagles by a combined margin of 184 points.

Western Bulldogs 15.16 (106) d Hawthorn 12.2 (74)
The Bulldogs returned to the winners’ circle by inflicting Hawthorn’s first 2008 defeat. In a massive turnaround of fortunes, the usually high-scoring Hawks only stayed nominally in the contest through their accuracy. On the other hand, the Dogs had 10 goalkickers, with ex-Lion Jason Akermanis close to best afield.

Geelong 19.19 (133) d Carlton 12.5 (77)
The Cats, coming off a shock thrashing by Collingwood, took a half to wind up, but once they did, the Blues were rarely sighted. Carlton trailed by only 13 points at half time but the reigning premiers dominated from that point on – with a 21-8 count in the scoring shots telling the story. Steve Johnson kicked five goals for Geelong.

Sydney Swans 21.13 (139) d Richmond 8.9 (57)
Richmond returned to its uncompetitive worst as the Swans completely dominated the first half en route to an 82-point win. In an astonishingly lop-sided beginning, Sydney had 6.3 on the board before the Tigers registered a score. The Swans led by 75 points at half time and had 12 goalkickers.

St Kilda 19.15 (129) d Melbourne 7.8 (50)
Under-the-pump St Kilda responded to its critics with a 79-point demolition of the unfortunate Demons – Sydney recruit Adam Schneider leading the way with a career-best five goals. While the Saints rebounded from last week’s loss to the Lions, Melbourne had a day it would rather forget after pushing Hawthorn throughout the four quarters only a week ago. Star Demons forward Russell Robertson will miss the rest of the season after rupturing an Achilles tendon.

Port Adelaide 16.7 (103) d Fremantle 10.15 (75)
Fremantle started brightly but a combined two goals in the second and fourth quarters, along with a haul of 5.14 after quarter-time conspired against Mark Harvey’s side. The Power, by contrast, were efficient throughout and benefited from hauls of five and three goals to Daniel Motlop and captain Warren Tredrea. Ex-Lion Tom Logan was among Port Adelaide’s best.