The Brisbane Lions have secured back-to-back flags in the NEAFL Northern Conference with a comfortable 46 point victory over the Aspley Hornets at Leyshon Park in Yeronga on Sunday.

In what was a tight contest until half-time, the Lions ran out eventual winners, defeating a determined Hornets outfit 19.11 (125) to 11.13 (79).

Jack Crisp was voted best afield in a dominant display which included 28 disposals and two goals, while sharp-shooter Aaron Cornelius booted six goals for the premiers.

Despite a strong start by the Hornets, who controlled much of the play in the opening minutes, the Lions were able to break free of their opponents in a blistering third term which saw Brisbane boot six goals to two, to set up a resounding win.

In perfect conditions at Yeronga, Aspley did all of the early attacking, their pressure on Brisbane’s midfielders awarded with an opening goal to the Hornets’ Eddie Sansbury. Another quick goal soon afterwards had the brown and gold in front and in control early before Brisbane could find the scoreboard.

The Lions soon found their stride and rebounding out of the backline with some solid running, Brisbane’s midfielders found Aaron Cornelius in the goal square, his regulation mark and set shot giving the Lions their first major for the afternoon.

As the Lions began to assert themselves in the ruck contents, some quick movement from Todd Banfield out of defence saw Brisbane move the ball forward quickly to grab their second goal and the lead.

When Cornelius intercepted an Aspley pass across half-back, he didn’t let the opportunity go to waste, with a booming helicopter-style drop punt straight through the sticks, giving the Lions a handy seven point lead late in the term. But with another goal to the Hornets, the game was locked up at 20 points a-piece at quarter-time.

The Lions began the second term with purpose, Jordan Lisle kicking a goal within the opening minute. Jack Crisp and Callum Bartlett were everywhere. So too was Marco Paparone.

Aspley threatened to respond on a number of occasions as they continued to push into their offensive 50 but the Lions defenders continued to repel. Another major to the Lions at the nine minute mark had Brisbane up by 13 points.

Relentless pressure forced errors from both sides and the match remained anyone’s for the taking. Aspley’s perseverance soon paid off with a goal at the fifteen minute mark bringing the margin back to just 5 points.

After a pin-point pass from Callum Bartlett found Cornelius on the chest, a late tackle from an Aspley defender resulted in a 50 metre penalty. The resulting goal to Cornelius was a formality, his third for the day putting Brisbane’s lead back out to 11 points.

The Hornets responded yet again with another goal and when Michael Close kicked truly from fifty metres out, followed by an Aspley major and then another to Cornelius, the second term became an end-to-end shoot-out.

At the main break the Lions had a nine point lead.

The third term began with a goal to the Hornets. The Lions responded with a snap shot goal to Jordan Lisle, his second for the afternoon. Another to the Lions had them up by 11 points again in a still-tight contest.

As the quarter progressed, the Lions began to control the play as Aspley began to tire. A booming set-shot from Billy Longer sailed over the goal umpire’s head and when the Lions followed that up with two quick goals in succession, Brisbane extended its lead to 29 points.

At the final break, after a six goal to two quarter, Brisbane had one hand on the premiership cup with a 37 point lead.

The Lions kicked the opening goal of the final term through Cornelius who was proving to be the major difference up-forward.

The remainder of play became a formality as the Lions controlled possession - through Crisp, Bartlett and Paparone – and the scoreboard, adding another goal to extend their lead to 42 points at the fifteen minute mark.

While a gallant Hornets side persisted, it was as good as game over when a set-shot banana kick from Cornelius at the 24 minute mark gave the prolific forward his sixth goal of the afternoon.

When Michael Close booted his second goal from 50 metres out, followed by another from the prolific Bartlett, the Brisbane fans began to celebrate.

Lions coach, Leigh Harding was pleased with the efforts of all of his players.

“It was a real even contribution across the deck,” he said.

Asked what sparked Brisbane’s burst in the third term, Harding said it was a case of making some adjustments to counter Aspley’s impact through the midfield.

“We just changed up a few things forward of the ball and in through the middle and they responded well,” he said.

“Kicking into a little bit of a breeze, to kick five or six goals in the third was very, very good.”

In what was a quality display of football, Harding appeared almost as impressed as the fans who were treated to a quality Grand Final.

“The two best teams were involved today and I think we put on a fair spectacle,” he said.

The Lions will now play Eastern Conference premiers the Sydney Swans in the NEAFL Grand Final.