Same city, different venue, and almost the same outcome. Last week, the Giants dominated the Swans for three quarters at the SCG before imploding in the final quarter to lose by six points.
This week, at home, the Giants gave up a 44-point lead in the third quarter to lose to a Brisbane side 15.10 (100) to 15.15 (105) that refused to give up without a fight in a stunning finals clash. The heartbreak will linger and sting far longer as unlike last week, there will be no second chances for the Giants.
Toby Greene’s face says it all at full-time.Credit: Getty Images
The defeat also kills off any hope of an all-Sydney grand final clash as the Giants once again lost their rhythm inexplicably in a contest they had dominated for much of the game.
Coach Adam Kingsley spoke of his frustration at witnessing his side give up a comfortable lead twice in two weeks as he was served with a painful case of deja vu.
“We thought we’d learned our lessons from last week against the Swans, 28 points up against them, six goals to two in the last quarter and tonight was the same story, unfortunately,” Kingsley said.
“So it would appear we haven’t yet learned that lesson to still be proactive, to execute the system as best as we can, to remain aggressive, to be aware of the opposition when they do roll the dice a little bit and roll forward...we’re just not the finished product and I’ve been saying that all year.”
Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan’s five goals and captain Toby Greene’s three majors were met by a late two-goal haul from Brisbane full forward Joe Daniher that ultimately carried his side over the line in stunning fashion.
The Giants’ pressure game, set against Brisbane’s precision and elite ball movement created a compelling contest on paper. In reality, the Giants looked in danger of dominating their opponents, but Brisbane refused to depart the September stage without a fight.
The Giants raced into a 21-point first-quarter lead, but also lost former captain Stephen Coniglio to a cheekbone injury after a contest with Harris Andrews, depriving his side of his experience and composure on the ball.
For the first half, the Giants’ running game stretched Brisbane to its limits, allowing their midfielders, particularly the outstanding Tom Green to unleash Hogan who was unstoppable.
James Peatling scored two goals with his first two touches in the first quarter and the out-of-contract utility and reminded his club of his enduring value with several Victorian clubs interested.
Peatling’s selfless running enabled him to keep Swans’ midfielder Errol Gulden quiet for three quarters at the SCG last week and he repeated the trick at home against Brisbane, but executed it even better.
In the first two quarters, Peatling brilliantly curbed the influence of All-Australian defender Dayne Zorko, who started the game as a frustrated figure in Sydney – that was eventually going to change.
Another Brisbane star Lachie Neale suffered from the close attention of the returning tagging specialist Toby Bedford from injury who reminded his side how much he had been missed last week.
Jack Payne of the Lions celebrates the win.Credit: Getty Images
An early second-quarter goal from Kai Lohmann was the high point for Brisbane with wasteful set-shots in front of goal costing them and the Giants extended their lead to 21 points after two goals from Hogan and one from Greene.
This was part of seven successive goals for the Giants moving into the third quarter, with the side playing with such a swagger that gave defender Lachie Ash the opportunity to score his first goal of the year and ruck Kieren Briggs to join him for a rare major. The game looked to be over and the perfect medicine to be served after the disappointment of last week.
The Giants’ lead extended to 44 points before the Lions staged a highly unlikely comeback with another goal from Lohmann and majors from Charlie Cameron, Oscar McInerney, Zac Bailey and a restored and revitalised Zorko.
The Lions managed five consecutive goals in 18 kicks, cutting the Giants lead to 13 and giving coach Adam Kingsley painful nightmares of his side’s sudden shutdown the previous week against Sydney.
Greene’s third major at the start of the final quarter set his side’s nerves at bay, but it was met by a furious response from Brisbane in the shape of majors from Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Jaspa Fletcher and Zorko, reminding the Giants of his ability at both ends of the field.
Daniher scored two stunning clutch goals to give his side the most unlikely five-point victory and remind the world what makes Australian rules so special, especially when it comes to finals football.
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