BRISBANE has cashed in a 'get out of jail free' card to escape with a nail-biting 12-point win over Fremantle at the Gabba.
Leading by as much as 25 points late in the third term, the Lions received a major scare when a Michael Walters-inspired Dockers side got within four points with three minutes left.
When Lions forward Oscar McInerney, debutant Tom Berry and four-goal star Charlie Cameron all missed chances, the Dockers still held hope of a comeback win with the clock ticking down.
However, it was left to Lions skipper Dayne Zorko to clinch victory with a goal just before the final siren sounded on Brisbane's 12.9 (81) to 10.9 (69) win.
The Lions looked set to cruise to victory early in the second quarter when Cameron kicked his fourth major, forcing a match-up change from Docker Ethan Hughes to Griffin Logue.
Dockers skipper Nat Fyfe then put his team on his shoulders with an 11-disposal second quarter to bridge the margin to five points at the main break.
Callum Ah Chee's first goal in Lions colours late in the third appeared to have the game buried before the Dockers rallied.
Two squandered chances from Matt Taberner early in the fourth term could have put the heat on the Lions earlier before Walters almost dragged the Dockers over the line late.
ILL-DISCIPLINED LIONS
Lions midfielder Jarryd Lyons was left with plenty of questions to answer at the first break. With his side leading by 14 points and holding the ball in the middle of the ground, Lyons gave away a silly free kick by flattening Docker Michael Walters. With just 19 seconds on the clock, the Dockers rushed forward, kicking a goal through Lachie Schultz on the siren to gain much needed momentum. Another free kick that gifted Nat Fyfe a goal late in the second term left Lions coach Chris Fagan ropeable at the main break.
DOCKERS' RUCK CONCERNS
Sean Darcy injured his right knee midway through the third quarter and was forced to sit out the rest of the contest. The Dockers' No.1 big man landed awkwardly with a hyperextension, was left on crutches and is expected to required scans. Luckily for the 22-year-old, it is the opposite side to the knee that required PCL surgery in 2018. His direct opponent Stefan Martin spent close to 10 minutes on the bench in the third term receiving work to the knee that he injured in round one but played out the match.
FYFE CARRIES DOCKERS, AGAIN
After watching former teammate Lachie Neale control proceedings for the Lions in the first quarter, Dockers skipper Nat Fyfe did as he pleased in the second term. With two touches to his name at the first break, Fyfe collected 11 disposals and kicked two goals in just 16 minutes of playing time. Two of his three goals for the match came from uncharacteristic snaps, with the dual Brownlow medallist opting for the J-curve on set shots when in front of the big sticks.
BRISBANE 4.2 8.2 11.5 12.9 (81)
FREMANTLE 3.0 7.3 8.5 10.9 (69)
GOALS
Brisbane: Cameron 4, Neale 2, Zorko 2, McInerney, McStay, Hipwood, Ah Chee
Fremantle: Fyfe 3, Taberner 2, Walters 2, Matera, Schultz, Banfield
BEST
Brisbane: Cameron, Neale, McInerney, Zorko, Andrews, Robinson
Fremantle: Fyfe, Walters, Aish, Taberner, Ryan
INJURIES
Fremantle: Darcy (knee), Wilson (back) replaced in selected side by Hayden Young,
Brisbane: McStay (ankle)
