AFL Round 23 Brisbane v St Kilda: What Lions win means for week one of the finals

Despite going down up in Brisbane, Saints coach Ross Lyon is emphatic in his belief that his side can beat anyone, anywhere when September footy starts.

Marco Monteverde

@marcothejourno

4 min read

August 27, 2023 - 3:58PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

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St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says his side’s effort to push the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba has him confident of a bold finals showing from the Saints, regardless of where they are forced to play.

The Saints’ 12-point loss to Brisbane on Saturday has left them vulnerable to having to travel to Sydney in the first week of the finals for a sudden-death contest - depending on the results of matches on Sunday.

But Lyon wasn’t concerned by the prospect of having to travel away from Melbourne during the finals.

“What a hit out before a final,” Lyon said of the match against Brisbane.

“Go to the last second hard and tough, match them in the ground ball … to play them again, it would be interesting with that.

“My group, my boys, my club has worked really hard to create an opportunity. The narrative around us has been quite negative, but in saying, I think we go (into the finals) in good order to whoever we play, wherever we play, and we’re really looking forward to it.

“Ultimately by performance and attitude, you dictate what story is written, and I think we’ve written our own story to this point pretty well.

“The real season’s just starting. This is just qualifying. Everyone starts equal and away you go. It’s exciting.”

The Saints weren’t helped by Josh Battle being subbed out with concussion on Saturday. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Saints’ cause on Saturday wasn’t helped by the loss of the versatile Josh Battle to concussion.

Despite suffering the knock in the second quarter after a collision with Lions forward Eric Hipwood, Battle was cleared to continue before being substituted at the start of the third quarter.

“The question will be asked why (wasn’t Battle replaced until) after half-time,” Lyon said.

“Our doctors assessed him, did the SCAT test, and it was clear and then he went south from there, and then they tapped him out, so that’s the reason for that.”

Lyon said Battle would be assessed before the finals series, but was adamant Hunter Clark would be “fine” despite suffering a cork.

The Saints mentor was also confident that injured pair Max King and Seb Ross would return for the finals series.

“(King) jammed up his knee last week, so he’s a bit sore, but he’s been able to do a lot of work. Barring mishaps over the next two weeks of training, he’ll be available to play, which is exciting,” he said.

“We think Seb Ross (hamstring) will be available, so we’re reasonably healthy at this point.”

Joe’s epic blunder: What Gabba result means for finals race

The Brisbane Lions survived a scare to seal a top-two berth, and perhaps more importantly, two home finals, with a 12-point win over a gallant St Kilda at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Despite some concerning inaccuracy, the Lions secured second spot on the ladder, and a home qualifying final against either Port Adelaide or Melbourne, with their 9.18 (72) to 9.6 (60) victory in front of 31,689 fans.

The scrappy win also secured Brisbane a perfect Gabba regular season record of 11 victories from 11 games.

It’s that imposing Gabba form that gives the Lions probably their best chance of breaking a premiership drought that stretches back to 2003, as it could lead to them avoiding a trip to Melbourne until grand final day, provided all goes to plan in the finals with successive home wins.

Zac Bailey and Jack Sinclair go head to head on Saturday. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos

For the Saints, the loss leaves them vulnerable to having to travel to Sydney for a do-or-die affair in the first week of the finals, depending on results on Sunday.

The Saints also finished the match without Josh Battle, who didn’t appear after succumbing to concussion and being replaced by Ryan Byrnes.

However, with the finals series not starting until Thursday week, the 12-day concussion break protocol should not prevent Battle playing in the Saints’ elimination final.

Miss of the season?

It was the nervous start the Lions didn’t need in their bid to guarantee themselves a top-two finish.

Having taken a good mark in the front of the posts, star forward Joe Daniher lined up to the top of the goal square, seemingly certain to kick Brisbane’s first six-pointer of the afternoon.

However, the enigmatic Daniher somehow smashed his kick into the post in a contender for miss of the AFL season.

It was a sign of what was to come for the Lions, who would have been well clear at quarter-time if not for some inaccurate kicking for goal.

Despite doubling the Saints in terms of entries into the attacking 50-metre zone, the Lions only led by a point at the first break, converting only two of their 10 kicks at goal.

The Lions’ poor conversion rate continued in the second quarter of what was an extremely scrappy affair.

“It’s not a game full of highlights,” Fox Footy’s David King said.

Daniher missed another great chance to kick a goal before finally securing his first major of the game following clever use of his body that allowed him to mark the ball, play on and convert from inside the goal square.

The Saints celebrate a Jack Hayes goal in his first game since round 5 last year. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos

Gritty Saints

St Kilda again proved they would not be finals easybeats and would make it tough for more fancied opposition with a gritty Gabba display.

The Saints showed particular fight in the early stages of the third quarter.

Still in the contest at the half-time thanks to Brisbane’s inaccuracy, the visitors came out after the main break with renewed intent.

They were rewarded with the first three goals of the third quarter to Brad Crouch, Tim Membrey, and Dan Butler to grab a six-point lead.

It forced the Lions, who started the second-half poorly, into an immediate response, with the hosts kicking the next two goals to Charlie Cameron and Cam Rayner.

However, the Saints did well enough for the remainder of the third term to ensure the game was well and truly up for grabs heading into the final quarter.