AFL Finals 2023: All the news, analysis and fallout as Brisbane advance to home preliminary final

In Septembers past, what happened early in Saturday night’s qualifying final might’ve broken Brisbane – but things are different now, writes Callum Dick.

The world keeps asking Chris Fagan why this Brisbane side can boldly go where for 20 years its predecessors have been unable.

On Saturday night, we saw a glimpse of the how and why.

The Lions were tested and duly delivered when the eyes of the footy world were watching and waiting for them to slip up.

Instead, the 48-point thumping of Port Adelaide at the Gabba alerted their six remaining finals rivals of what to expect this month.

It was as complete a finals performance a Fagan-led Lions has ever produced.

Brisbane had projected a quiet confidence in the build-up to this year’s finals series and Fagan’s message was clear: We’ve learned from our mistakes.

His young Lions are not so young anymore. Their ceiling is higher and, crucially, so is their floor.

Charlie Cameron celebrates during Brisbane’s qualifying final win. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos

In Septembers past, a run of three Port Adelaide goals in the second term might have sparked an avalanche.

When Connor Rozee sent a long range bomb to put the Power ahead, tension rippled around the Gabba. Port’s stars were firing and Brisbane’s were not.

Lachie Neale had one touch to quarter-time. Charlie Cameron had none. Momentum in the match hung on a knife’s edge.

But rather than falter, Brisbane responded with a hat-trick of its own.

Cam Rayner willed himself to win a contest inside 50 and snapped truly for his second of the night.

Then it was Hugh McCluggage, previously hobbled by a hip complaint, with a chase down tackle and subsequent goal.

Moments later, Dayne Zorko found himself in an acre of space and from the pocket off one step brought the Gabba crowd to its feet.

Why is this Brisbane different? Because it doesn’t rely on its stars to win matches.

Neale prophesied as much during the week when he bristled over a question about receiving attention from Port stopper Willem Drew.

The skipper declared the Lions did not need him at his brilliant best to win matches and so it came to be in the first half as Drew put the clamps on the former Brownlow Medallist.

With nine touches to halftime, Neale barely had an influence on the contest and Cameron was still goalless. Star forward Joe Daniher had just one major to his name.

Their trio of All Australian nominees were not the reason the Lions held a 16-point advantage at the main break.

Jaspa Fletcher came of age on the big stage. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Instead, the early stages belonged to Rayner and Jaspa Fletcher.

Rayner – Brisbane’s midfield bull turned cameo defender and now forward 50 ace in the pack – was the spark the Lions needed to ignite their finals campaign.

His running goal from 55m captured momentum for Brisbane early in the second term and the crucial snap later in the quarter to end Port’s run made it three on the night for the former No.1 pick.

Rayner began the match with a finals tally of four goals from six games and finished with a serious statement of intent for what could come in September.

Sixteen disposals, three goals. Another forward 50 threat for rivals to be concerned with.

Rewind the tape for Rayner’s second goal to reveal Cameron’s chase down tackle on Jason Horne-Francis is what opened the door.

Even when things weren’t going his way, Cameron willed himself to have an impact.

The star small forward was finally gifted a free kick in the goal square early in the third term and had to watch youngster Fletcher soccer it through for his second of the night.

Hugh McCluggage had 26 disposals against the Power. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos

As the rookie revelled in a breakout performance, Cameron’s goalless night continued. But not for long. Two minutes later he had a double of his own and the Lions were roaring.

Neale began to break his tag and Cameron – well held for a half – had broken the shackles of Ryan Burton.

The third term ended with Daniher bringing up his third of five on the night and suddenly the Lions’ superstar trio were in the thick of it. Result? A 38-point lead at the turn for home.

The fourth quarter was party time.

Fagan will have loved what he saw on Saturday night.

When Neale was quiet, Dunkley and McCluggage stood tall in the middle.

As Cameron and Daniher battled to get involved, their fellow forwards hit the scoreboard.

Once the stars were unleashed, Brisbane hit the gas and powered away.

Their reward? A home preliminary final – just their second since 2004.

Maybe this Brisbane team really is different.