Lions set AFL finals alight to put Richmond title defence in peril

The Lions have set Brisbane alight with a stunning 15-point triumph over Richmond in an enthralling AFL qualifying final at the Gabba.

Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko leads the Lions off the Gabba after defeating Richmond in their AFL qualifying final

The Lions have set Brisbane alight with a stunning 10.9 (69) to 8.6 (54) triumph over Richmond in an enthralling AFL qualifying final on Friday night at the Gabba.

Resilient when pressured by the reigning premiers in the opening half and resourceful when challenged in the final term, the Lions have reached their first preliminary final since 2004.

But it was not until Hugh McCluggage snapped a goal with three minutes remaining that the home side secured a famous win as Richmond continued to press.

Heading into the final term, McCluggage had kicked 7.21 for the season. Like so many Lions, accuracy in goal kicking had been an issue.

But when it counted, the young Lions star delivered. And, after kicking themselves out of recent clashes against Richmond including last year’s corresponding final, their accuracy early on proved crucial in enabling them to stay with the Tigers.

A three-goal burst late in the second term — one of which was the result of some poor discipline from the Tigers — proved the catalyst in giving the Lions the momentum. Charlie Cameron was dynamic in attack when kicking three brilliant goals. It is Brisbane’s first win over Richmond since 2009, with the victory breaking a 15-match losing streak.

The Lions now have the luxury of a fortnight to prepare for a home preliminary final in a once-in-a-lifetime season where the decider will be held on their home ground.

Richmond now faces a huge challenge to defend its premiership.

To make the grand final, the Tigers will have to beat the winner of Saturday afternoon’s elimination final between St Kilda and the Bulldogs and then defeat Port Adelaide in Adelaide.

After ruling out star spearhead Tom Lynch early in the week with a hamstring injury, the Tigers will be desperate for him to return, with his replacement Mabior Chol ineffectual.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick was scathing of his side’s errors when interviewed at halftime, attributing at least five goals to poor discipline.

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Hugh McCluggage leads the celebration after the fulltime siren at the Gabba. Picture: Getty Images.

Dustin Martin was creative early on and was responsible for kicking the ball inside the Tigers 50m arc 10 times. Effectively, that constituted a fifth of their entries. But he was not the matchwinner he had proven in recent outings against the Lions.

Raging Brownlow Medal favourite Lachie Neale did not win a touch in the opening term. But he kicked a crucial goal in the second quarter as he worked into the final.

The Lions began brilliantly with Daniel Rich kicking a long-range goal one minute into the qualifying final. In an entertaining, lively opening term, the two sides exchanged goals throughout before Kamdyn McIntosh gave Richmond a six-point lead with a goal at the 23-minute mark.

It was the clever assessment of the space ahead of the football that created the opportunity. Mindful of the congestion ahead of him, Shane Edwards opted for a 50-metre kick at a right angle to find McIntosh.

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin, who kicked a superb goal from a left-foot snap midway through the term, had the better of Neale early on whenever positioned next to him at a bounce or boundary line throw-in occurred.

As fierce as the opening was, the ferocity seemed even more intense in the second term. Space was at a premium and scoring became difficult.

But when Cam Rayner kicked a goal on the run from outside 50m, the Lions reclaimed the lead by goal one point.

A delightful piece of roving from Cameron soon after saw Brisbane kick consecutive goals for the first time in the final as they extended their lead.

When Richmond gifted two straight 50 metre penalties — Marlion Pickett the offender with the second — Neale was within range and kicked a long goal that gave his side a 13-point lead at halftime.

Daniel Rioli was creative in attack in the second half and kicked two goals that kept the Tigers within range.

Shai Bolton was denied a sensational goal when a review showed it had flicked the padding, but Jack Riewoldt gave Richmond a sniff with a late goal before McCluggage pounced.