The Brisbane Lions are through to the preliminary finals!
Brisbane Lions qualify for first preliminary final since 2004
Despite dominating most of the first half, Richmond came under heavy fire over several damning mistakes which shifted momentum in Brisbane.
The Brisbane Lions broken their horror 11-year drought, defeating the Richmond Tigers by 15 points in one of the season's most enthralling encounters.
Brisbane had not tasted victory against the defending premiers since round 7 of the 2009 premiership, but have managed to qualify for the preliminary final after Friday evening's 10.9 (69) to 8.6 (54) win at the Gabba.
The Lions will play in a preliminary final for the first time in 16 years, and are now one win away from a home grand final.
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The Tigers came under fire for ill-disciplined errors late in the second quarter, which cost them an early lead in Brisbane.
Those prelim final feels 🙌#FootyOHWHATAFEELING | #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/9S8C5I6ns1
— AFL (@AFL) October 2, 2020
Richmond were ahead by seven points before three late goals gave the Brisbane Lions a healthy lead at half-time.
One of Brisbane's trio of goals could have been avoided, if not for consecutive 50m penalties.
After Marlion Pickett was penalised for a throw in Brisbane’s defensive 50, umpire Andre Gianfagna awarded another 50m penalty when Shai Bolton appeared to swear at him.
Following the 100m penalty, Lions superstar Lachie Neale - who bizarrely did not touch the Sherrin in the first quarter - then kicked one of the longest goals of his career to give his club a 13-point lead at half-time.
Hawthorn legend Leigh Matthews told 3AW: "There is that element of when you are used to bullying teams just by the way you play and all of a sudden there is a fight back – Richmond haven't handled that well. Three 50m penalties – those are deplorable mistakes."
Sports journalist Tim Hipsley tweeted: "Lions not taking any c**p from the Tigers and making them pay on the scoreboard too."
Really poor to give away those 50m penalties ... but the inconsistency in dropping the ball is so frustrating. Twice players dropped the ball the same way Vlaustin was called for. A 100m penalty. Fair Dinkum #AFLLionsTigers @Richmond_FC
— Peter Brown (@SydneyEditor) October 2, 2020
After conceding his side were lacking discipline, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick accused the umpires of being "trigger happy".
“The reality is we’ve given away I think five goals from free kicks, we’ve got to be more disciplined,” Hardwick told Fox Footy at half-time.
“Probably a little bit like last night, they’re (umpires) a bit trigger happy at the moment, we’ve got to understand how the game is being adjudicated and adjust.”
Without tall forward Tom Lynch, the Tigers struggled to win aerial contests in Brisbane's defensive 50.
Richmond never recovered, and despite threatening to make a comeback in the fourth quarter, Brisbane held on for a historic victory.
The home crowd went berserk when the final siren sounded, as did Lions coach Chris Fagan.
Nine reporter Alicia Muling posted: "Can’t remember a more enjoyable game of footy to watch. Gotta love Chris Fagan."
Collingwood forward Mason Cox tweeted: "Pretty amazing how far Brisbane has come over the last few years. It’s great to see their fans showing up for them tonight at the Gabba too after such a crazy year."
Well Brisbane playing an AFL grand final in Brisbane would be ONE good thing to come out of 2020. #AFLLionsTigers
— Jason Whittaker (@thetowncrier) October 2, 2020
Fagan told reporters after the match: "I'm just excited for the players and the staff and the club in general.
"To get out there and play like that against a great team like the Tigers, I'm very proud of the group."
Lions midfielder Jarryd Lyons managed a game-high 24 disposals, while Charlie Cameron was at his dynamic best, scoring three goals.
AAP reporter Oliver Caffrey tweeted: "What a response from Charlie Cameron. Reputation took a bit of a hit following last year’s qualifying final, but that’s going to silence the doubters."
Sydney Morning Herald journalist Greg Baum posted: "Charlie Cameron enters the pantheon of players you just have to love no matter who you barrack for."
Richmond will face either the Western Bulldogs or St Kilda next weekend in what will be their first semi-final since 2001.
Updates
Brisbane hold on despite late scare
Q3: Brisbane 9.6 (60) to Richmond 6.3 (39)
The Brisbane Lions botched two scoring opportunities late in the third quarter, missing a chance to put the result beyond doubt.
The hosts extended their lead to 21 points in the third quarter, but their advantage could have been even more if Jarrod Berry had not missed a free kick from right in front.
Less than a minute later, Lions teammate Hugh McCluggage missed a certain goal, his grubber kick bouncing to the right of the posts.
Q3: Brisbane 9.6 (60) to Richmond 6.3 (39)
Richmond blasted for 'deplorable' mistakes
After dominating territory and possession for most of the second quarter, an abysmal lack of discipline put the defending champions on the backfoot at the Gabba.
Richmond were leading by seven points before three late goals gave the Brisbane Lions a healthy lead at half-time.
One of the goals could have been avoided, if not for two consecutive 50m penalties.
The Tigers became restless when the hosts went ahead on the scoreboard, picking fights and grabbing shirts.
But the bullying tactics didn't work, with umpire Andre Gianfagna happily awarding another 50m penalties when Shai Bolton appeared to swear at him.
Hawthorn legend Leigh Matthews told 3AW: "There is that element of when you are used to bullying teams just by the way you play and all of a sudden there is a fight back – Richmond haven't handled that well. Three 50m penalties – those are deplorable mistakes."
Sports journalist Tim Hipsley tweeted: "Lions not taking any c**p from the Tigers and making them pay on the scoreboard too."
Lions superstar Lachie Neale gave Richmond plenty to think about at half-time, slotting one of the biggest goals of his career moments before the buzzer.
After conceding his side was lacking discipline, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick accused the umpires of being "trigger happy".
“The reality is we’ve given away I think five goals from free kicks, we’ve got to be more disciplined,” Hardwick told Fox Footy.
“Probably a little bit like last night, they’re (umpires) a bit trigger happy at the moment, we’ve got to understand how the game is being adjudicated and adjust.”
Q2: Brisbane 7.2 (44) to Richmond 5.1 (31)
Brisbane Lions forward Charlie Cameron took advantage of an early error from the Tigers, kicking a goal 35 seconds into the quarter to equal the scores.
Richmond's Jason Castagna then scored a free kick after claiming a mark delivered by none other than Dustin Martin.
Martin continued to prove a threat for the hosts – five of 10 first touches were inside 50.
Melbourne great Garry Lyon told AFL Nation: "If Brisbane leaves Dusty to do his own thing, then they can't win. He is peeling away from the stoppage and finding space. Maybe they need to send Lyons to him."
Cam Rayner later booted a mammoth goal from more than 55 metres out to give the Lions a narrow lead.
A late goal from Cameron – who burst through a tackle and scored from a ludicrous angle – gave Brisbane plenty to smile about.
And then the wheels started to come off for the defending champions, who started unnecessary scuffles and completely lacking discipline.
After Richmond gave away consecutive 50m penalties, Lachie Neale – who had zero possession in the first – kicked one of the longest goals of his career, and the crowd went berserk.
Neale managed eight disposals and gained 109 metres in the second quarter.
This has arguably been the most entertaining half of football this season.
The Tigers were booed off the ground by the Brisbane spectators.
Q2: Brisbane 7.2 (44) to Richmond 5.1 (31)
Brownlow favourite's nightmare quarter
It only took 30 seconds for the Brisbane Lions to get on the scoreboard, with Daniel Rich slotting a major from 55 metres in the opening minute.
"That was just so poor from Richmond defensively. For such a disciplined team it's a big lapse leaving Daniel Rich open like that," Melbourne great Garry Lyon said on AFL Nation.
The hosts were gifted another six points when Richmond's Shai Bolton gave away a 50m penalty, with Oscar McInerney completing the goal.
But the Tigers refused to concede an early lead at the Gabba, with Jack Riewoldt and Liam Baker quickly slotting goals at the other end.
After claiming a classy mark inside 50, Brisbane's Daniel McStay kicked his club's third of the night.
But Richmond mustered the next two majors to take a narrow lead after a high-scoring opening quarter in Brisbane.
Dustin Martin once again proved why he's the master of AFL Finals, with seven disposals, six kicks and three clearances in the quarter.
News reporter James Mottershead tweeted: "Can confirm Dusty goes as well in October as September, if not better."
Meanwhile, Lions superstar Lachie Neale is yet to have a touch of the Sherrin, with zero disposals.
Sports journalist Mark Gottlieb tweeted: "Lachie Neale, the Brownlow favourite and a guy who has the worst case of leather poisoning you’ll see, has 0 possessions at quarter time. Zero. I can’t believe I just typed that."
Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd told 3AW: "You'd think he'll get going, he's a proud player."
Q1: Richmond 4.1 (25) to Brisbane 3.1 (19)
Lions battling 11 years of heartache
The Brisbane Lions will have to break an 11-year drought if they want to progress to the preliminary finals and avoid another horror finals exit.
Brisbane have not defeated the Richmond Tigers in the AFL since Round 7 of 2009.
Richmond have emerged the victors from each of their 15 most recent encounters.
Wayward kicking at goal has plagued Brisbane all season, but the club's biggest flaw was exposed when they lost to Richmond in round 10, the final result 12.10 (82) to 4.17 (41).
Lions forward Charlie Cameron could prove critical on Friday evening – after a stellar start to the 2020 season, his accuracy lacked consistency in the final rounds as he battled injury.
After running amok during last year's qualifying final, All-Australian Dustin Martin remains a huge threat for Brisbane. He has kicked 16 goals in his last five matches against the Lions.
"He's a great player, but he's like anyone else, he's got strengths and weaknesses," Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said.
"If the ball gets down there quickly, he's going to be a handful, but if the ball doesn't get down there quickly, it's not so easy for him because there's more of a crowd.
"Our ability to defend the full oval and to slow Richmond's ball movement down is going to be critical in the game."
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