Brisbane Lions defeat Richmond in 1st Elimination Final: AFL world loses it for 'insane' thriller

AFL finals have already lived up to the hype after a high-scoring absolute thriller had absolutely everything, including some controversy.

The Brisbane Lions have pulled off an incredible 16.10 (106) to 16.8 (104) victory over the Richmond Tigers in an absolutely wild start to the AFL finals series. 

The match more than lived up to expectations, featuring 18-lead changes in one of the best games of the season.

And the AFL world lost its mind as it went right down to the final minutes.

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The seventh-placed Tigers were the big favourites for the sudden death clash against the sixth-place Lions but neither side was able to kick away as the result stayed within two goals throughout three-quarters of the clash.  

Leading into the final minutes, the Tigers' Tom Lynch kicked a right foot snap around the corner after marking in the pocket.

But the ball went high above the goal, leading to the goal umpire awarding the six points to the Tigers.

"Unless they have a definitive angle, and I don't think they have a definitive angle, on this," Brian Taylor said.

But the review came back, saying it went over the top of the goalpost.

It's about as close as it gets. Photo: Fox Sports

"It depends on the angle, I don't know about that," Taylor added. "It's a massive overrule that."

Well done ARC… you made the right call. (Even though you had NO right to make THAT call)#AFLLionsTigers

— Mark Allen (@MarkAllenGolf) September 1, 2022

Instead of a nine-point lead, it gave the Tigers a four-point buffer as the Lions kicked down the field. 

A huge kick to Zac Bailey gave him the set shot from just inside the 50m with a minute left, played on, kicking into the goal square.

But the Richmond players couldn't mark the ball and 150th gamer Joe Daniher toed the bouncing ball through for the goal - and the lead.

It sparked wild celebrations, which only amped up when the full-time siren sounded.

Hilariously, it was such a thriller, the Tigers team song started ringing out before it was quickly changed.

Lions coach Chris Fagan was blown away.

"I can't believe that," he said. "What a game of football that was. Fair dinkum.

"Our blokes at it all night, didn't they? They wouldn't go away. You think about it, we lose our ruckman in the first two minutes and we found a way.

"I am so pleased for this group because they have been under a lot of pressure about our finals record. We were really brave tonight and we can hole our heads up high as can Richmond. It was a super day."

Joe Daniher did the unthinkable for the Lions. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The AFL community was blown away by the result as the teams turned out one of the games of the year with the perfect way to kick off September.

AAP's Oliver Caffrey commented: "All-time classic final, it just had everything. Sensational stuff."

ABC's Kyle Pollard posted: "Rivals the Geelong v Richmond game as best of the year I reckon. I didn’t have a dog in this fight but that was killer football. Don’t often notice midfielders while at the ground but Neale was massive. Vlastuin huge for the Tigers."

Freelancer Joey Lynch wrote: "This game is absolutely goddamn bonkers."

AAP's Callum Godde tweeted: "This game is off its head."

The Age's Russell Bennett added: "Anyone else want to give Chris Fagan a hug? I feel like I know the bloke after @MichaelWhiting’s piece What. A. Ridiculous. Game."

This is insane. #AFLFinals #AFLLionsTigers

— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) September 1, 2022

Both sides suffered brutal injuries in the first half of the match as the Lions' Oscar McInerney was subbed out via a head clash in the opening minutes, leaving Brisbane down a genuine ruckman, while Dion Prestia was ruled out via a hamstring injury late in the first half.

But the scoreboard kept ticking over as neither side wanted to be the first top eight team eliminated from the finals race.

The Tigers led 9.5 (59) to 8.5 (53) at half-time, the highest combined score in an AFL final since 2010.

At three-quarter time, the Tigers led was 14.6 (90) to 13.7 (85) as neither side gave an inch. 

Originally published as Brisbane Lions defeat Richmond in 1st Elimination Final: AFL world loses it for 'insane' thriller