THE Brisbane Lions remain in the hunt for a finals berth, after a Jonathan Brown goal with only three seconds on the clock clinched a pulsating draw with Sydney at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Brown’s towering set shot from 55m capped a cracking final term, in which the Lions and the Swans slugged it out for a 9.9 (63) to 8.15 (63) scoreline in front of a season-high 33,077 fans.
Up until three-quarter time, the game had been a dour arm wrestle, but the Lions restored its spark with a trio of goals inside the opening four minutes, to dramatically turn a 17-point deficit into a one-point lead.
A goal from Swan Adam Schneider was cancelled out by Brown’s third for the evening, before a succession of minor scores was ended by an accurate Brett Kirk snap in time-on.
It initially appeared Kirk’s effort would seal four points for the visitors, but the Lions dug deep and some customary Simon Black brilliance in close enabled Luke Power to find Brown on the lead.
The star forward and Coleman Medal favourite finished the job to keep the Lions’ final dream alive.
The home team had actually had the better of the game’s early exchanges, only for Sydney to gradually gain the upper hand.
The resuming Richard Hadley provided the opening goal of the match by slotting on the run from 45m, but the home side was then forced to absorb a sustained period of Sydney pressure, as the Swans registered eight inside-50s in succession.
Fortunately for the Lions, Paul Roos’ side struggled for finishing accuracy and posted 2.4 to quarter-time – the goals coming from set shots by Nick Davis and Schneider.
That pattern looked set to continue in the second quarter, with the Swans providing the first two scoring shots, including a goal to Barry Hall.
The Lions, however, rallied, shaking off the loss of main ruckman Jamie Charman, to kick three goals of their own.
Chris Johnson roved brilliantly to slot the opening major, Jared Brennan took full advantage of a relayed free kick and then Brown marked on the lead to kick his first of the night.
By the time the half-time siren sounded, scores were level. Sydney’s 3. 7 (25) matched the home team’s 4. 1 (25), setting up an intriguing second-half.
The Lions looked set to pay the price for a third quarter in which they kicked only 0.6 - despite having the first three shots on goal – and allowing the Swans to notch three majors.
But the barnstorming start to the final term paved the way for Brown and company to perform their match-saving heroics.
The Lions’ forward had a great battle with former teammate Craig Bolton and had the upper hand by the end of the night with his four goals, 16 possessions and 10 marks.
Jed Adcock was outstanding throughout, Tim Notting supplied important second-half drive and Leuenberger was superb in the ruck, making light of the years and size he conceded to the experience Swans pairing Darren Jolly and Peter Everitt.
The No. 4 pick of the 2006 NAB AFL National Draft finished with 15 possessions and 12 hit-outs in a display that augers well for years to come.
For the Swans, Adam Goodes had 28 disposals and looked threatening whenever he got near the ball, while first-gamer Ed Barlow showed the big expectations of him aren’t unwarranted, compiling 18 touches and five inside-50s.
BRISBANE 1.0 4.1 4.7 9.9 (63) drew
SYDNEY 2.4 3.7 6.12 8.15 (63)
Goals
Brisbane: J Brown 4, C Johnson 2, J Brennan, R Copeland, R Hadley.
Sydney: A Schneider 2, N Davis, N Fosdike, B Hall, B Kirk, B Mathews, R O'Keefe.
Best
Brisbane: J Brown, J Adcock, M Leuenberger, T Notting, J Roe, N Lappin.
Sydney: A Goodes, T Richards, E Barlow, N Fosdike, B Kirk, A Buchanan.
Injuries
Brisbane: J Charman (calf), S Harding (knee), J Macdonald (virus) replaced in selected side by J Sherman, T Selwood (general soreness) replaced in selected side by M Moody. Sydney: T Kennelly (knee) replaced in selected side E Barlow.
Reports: J Roe (Brisbane) reported by field umpire B Rosebury for making front-end contact to the head of L Brennan (Sydney) in the first quarter, L Power (Brisbane) reported by field umpire S Ryan for charging C Bolton (Sydney) in the fourth quarter.
Umpires: S Ryan B Rosebury M James.
Official Crowd: 33,077 at Gabba.
