Brisbane finals fallout: How the Lions recovered after a preliminary final ‘punch in the face’

For so long Brisbane’s backline was its Achilles Heel. Not anymore. But it does leave Chris Fagan in an awkward position. What will he do at the selection table?

Chris Fagan will coach in his first grand final this week. Picture: Getty Images

For so long considered Brisbane’s Achilles Heel, on Saturday night the backline was one of its great strengths.

As Lachie Neale put it, the Lions copped a “punch in the face” from the Blues in a first-quarter blitzkrieg that saw five goals sail over the heads of Harris Andrews and co.

Brisbane was bullied around the ball in the opening stanza and Carlton could do no wrong. But the damage should have been a whole lot worse at the break.

The Blues sent the ball inside 50 a staggering 22 times in the first term for just six scoring shots. A fortnight earlier in the qualifying final, Port Adelaide was able to stay in touch early in the contest by converting almost every entry into a score.

Once momentum swung Brisbane’s way and its midfield got on top, Carlton’s scoring potency dried up.

The Blues kicked just one goal in two and a half quarters of footy – a far cry from the five in 20 minutes that blew the doors open.

When the final siren sounded and the scoreboard read Brisbane by 16 points, the plaudits came thick and fast.

Keidean Coleman was lauded for his lethal left boot and poise under pressure and Josh Dunkley heralded up for his heroic effort in containing Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps.

Lachie Neale was all smiles after the Lions recovered from their slow start. Picture: Getty Images

Dayne Zorko’s second quarter was among the best of his career, combining with Conor McKenna to form a lethal combination which swamped the Blues’ back line with wave after wave of forward forays.

Joe Daniher was straight as an arrow from the set shot when the Lions needed their talisman to stand tall, while Lincoln McCarthy produced perhaps his best post-season performance in a Brisbane jumper with two goals, including the sealer.

But Chris Fagan will sit down with the three pillars of his defence and pat them all on the back for what they were able to do on Saturday night.

Andrews the skipper. The almost All-Australian and Lions Academy product. An Aspley boy who grew up a stone’s throw from the Gabba. Eleven spoils and six intercepts.

Ryan Lester. Reborn at 31. In Fagan’s words enjoying a career-best season. Seven spoils, six intercepts and nine marks.

Darcy Gardiner. The forgotten defender. Called upon for just his third game of the season to guard the Coleman Medallist in a preliminary final. Eleven spoils, six intercepts and five one-on-one wins. Beaten just once.

Jack Payne was Brisbane’s answer to Charlie Curnow in round eight and when he went down with an ankle injury the stage was set for Carlton’s spearhead to shine.

But Gardiner was arguably even better on Saturday night, keeping Curnow to a solitary goal and outdueling him in the airtime and again.

“I was not surprised,” Fagan declared.

“He played really well in finals last year for us and he’s been patiently waiting for his opportunity. He’s a really experienced player and outright competitor. I’m really pleased for him.

Darcy Gardiner won his match-up with Charlie Curnow. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s been one of the blokes who’s been on the journey for the past seven years and he got an opportunity tonight.

“I’m sad for Jack, but I’m really pleased for him (Gardiner) and he didn’t let us down. I knew he wouldn’t.”

Gardiner’s imperious performance on the competition’s best forward could put Fagan in an awkward position at the selection table this week.

The coach declared he would give Payne as long as possible to prove his fitness for the grand final and prior to the prelim, he would have been a walk-up re-inclusion.

He might still be that.

But Fagan has already ruled he won’t risk playing an injured player in a final. If there is any doubt at all over Payne’s ankle late in the week, he now knows he has a reliable replacement in Gardiner.

“We’ll give him maximum time – and then we’ve just got to make a decision,” the coach said of Payne.

“He’s still a chance. He’s getting better. He’s got a bit more improving to do – hyperbaric chambers and all those sorts of things. He’s doing everything he can to get himself right.

Ryan Lester has put together a career best year on the backline. Picture: Getty Images

“Hopefully we’ve got the problem at the end of the week to work out what the team is.”

In a twist of fate, Dan McStay’s season-ending knee injury could impact Gardiner’s grand final claims.

The wantaway Lion turned Magpie was ruled out of the decider hours before the first bounce at the Gabba.

With no true McStay replacement, Craig McRae could opt for a smaller forward line in the decider.

Between Gardiner and Payne, the latter is more suited to playing small or tall.

Of course, it all depends on Payne’s fitness.

Regardless of how the cards fall later this week, Fagan can breathe a little easier knowing whichever back six he settles on next Saturday, it’s built to do the job.

Because for so many seasons before this, that was not always the case.