By Ed Jackson
Brisbane have extended their AFL winning streak to seven matches with a thrilling two-point win over ladder leaders Sydney at the Gabba.
After a ding-dong final quarter comprising five lead changes, it was Callum Ah Chee’s goal with less than three minutes to play which secured the Lions a 11.13 (79) to 11.11 (77) win.
Defeat will be tough to take for the Swans, who led by 15 points heading into the final term and played the second half down on troops with Dane Rampe (calf) and Tom Papley (ankle) injured in the second quarter.
Will Hayward also appeared to have hurt his ankle but played out the game, kicking two goals to be the Swans’ only multiple goalkicker.
Hugh McCluggage had three goals for the Lions, including vital back-to-back majors at the start of the fourth quarter which put the hosts back in the contest.
Joe Daniher also kicked three goals – all in the first term as the Lions opened up an early 22-point lead – while Cam Rayner scored two.
Brisbane celebrate their seventh straight win.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Rayner was a standout with 20 disposals and six score involvements while Dayne Zorko had a game-high 29 disposals including 10 in the opening term for the Lions.
Hayward had nine score involvements alongside his two goals for the Swans while Errol Gulden picked up 27 disposals and a goal.
Taylor Adams also performed a strong job tagging Lions midfield star Lachie Neale, restricting the dual Brownlow Medallist to just 18 possessions.
As they have done regularly this season, the Swans found themselves trailing at the end of the first quarter but took just five minutes of the second term to all but eliminate that deficit, with Joel Amartey, Adams and Hayden McLean all kicking goals to reduce the margin to four points.
Tom Papley leaves the field with the help of a trainer.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
A gift for McCluggage after a Swans turnover inside their own 50 briefly halted the visitors’ charge but Luke Parker’s clever snap put Sydney ahead.
Gulden’s late kick on the run after some slick teamwork near the boundary ensured the Swans – despite their mounting injury toll – held a seven-point lead at the main break.
The Lions were given inspiration in the third quarter when Rayner burst through multiple tackles to kick his second but were guilty of wasting several chances as the Swans extended their lead to 15 heading into the final quarter.
McCluggage’s double early in the final term – including one hopeful kick from inside the centre square which somehow bounced all the way through – set up a thrilling climax.
Both teams traded the lead through the quarter but when Ah Chee picked up the crumbs from a marking contest and belted the ball through, the Lions had secured an edge they held through some desperate final stages.
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