By Nick Wright
The finals are dawning, a make-or-break clash is nearing, but a Brisbane Lions rookie has truly announced himself on the AFL stage.
If Kai Lohmann’s five-goal haul against Richmond earlier in the year had not revealed himself as a genuine star of the future, his performance in his side’s 11.21 (87) to 10.7 (67) triumph of Essendon has emphatically done so.
The 21-year-old, who had played eight games since his 2022 debut before this season, became the everywhere man in the first half and hardly put a foot wrong.
Charlie Cameron of the Lions celebrates kicking a goal with Kai Lohmann of the Lions.Credit: via Getty Images
Finishing with three goals, 14 disposals and a goal assist, Lohmann’s energy on and off the ball harassed the Bombers out of the contest, setting up a home elimination final at the Gabba.
From an early intercept spoil which assisted a goal, to a 50-metre screamer that brought the home crowd to their feet, Lohmann desired to never be far from the action.
While Brisbane have grand final experience as recently as last year, they still have a largely young squad who will need to overcome the burden of experience headed their way - something Lohmann has proved at the perfect time.
Lions’ midfield clicks into gear
They achieved that on Saturday night, and that looms as a crucial lesson to adapt come the finals.
Aside from a late burst in the fourth quarter, Essendon never seemed to be in the contest, as the star contingent led by Lachie Neale (40 disposals, seven clearances, two goal assists) spearheaded Brisbane’s dominance across the opening three quarters.
Lachie Neale of the Lions in action.Credit: via Getty Images
McCluggage (29 disposals, five clearances) and Will Ashcroft (30 disposals, three clearances, a goal assist) also shone and were enthusiastic for much of the contest.
“He [Neale] gets a lot of attention, but he keeps bouncing up. He was great tonight, Will Ashcroft was great tonight, the boys around the stoppage did a fantastic job,” Fagan said.
After a nine-game winning streak, the Lions were brought back to earth two weeks ago against the Giants when they were unable to carry on their obvious ascendancy, but this week they proved they were up to task.
Their clearance dominance laid much of the foundation for the men up front to strike, finishing with 45 clearances to the Bombers’ 25 and finishing with 62 inside 50s to 47.
Lions coach Chris Fagan, however, was once again forced to lament his side’s inaccuracy in front of goal - a theme which has cruelled them in recent weeks and cost them a place in the top four.
“It was more the frustration of having 32 shots on goal, and we kicked four out on the full, and the game shouldn’t have even been as close as it was,” Fagan said.
“I’m a bit disappointed about what’s happened over the last three weeks because it has cost us an opportunity to finish in the top four. But at the same time, we finished fifth, we’ve got a home final, and when you consider where we were at the halfway mark of the season the has been a great effort by our boys.
“We’re in great form, so we should go in with optimism, it’s just the job we’ve got to do now is much harder.
“I don’t put the replay up and show them missing goals, but the good thing is we haven’t lost any confidence out of it. We’ve kept playing good footy which was the main thing I wanted to see … and we did see that until the last quarter.”
Cameron’s form crucial to history
If the Lions are to be standing in the last clash of the season, they will need Charlie Cameron to continue the form he showed in Brisbane.
The marquee forward started the clash in emphatic fashion, finishing the contest with three goals, 13 disposals and a goal assist.
His left foot snap for a goal early in the second quarter to maintain their momentum, having squandered so many advantages in the past two weeks, proved crucial.
Cameron’s ability to break a game open with one play could be what decides the Lions’ fate if they are to claim an elusive premiership - a success they have not attained in more than 20 years.
The 30-year-old’s form will need to mimic much of what he displayed on Saturday night if that is to eventuate.
“I think he’s been working away hard, toiling away with his pressure. He’s been missing this year a bit more than he normally does, I don’t think there’s a great deal of difference between his number of shots on goal this year and last year,” Fagan said.
“But he’s also a very good assist player, and I thought he did look good tonight. He looked confident and happy and back to his normal self.”
Where does this leave the Lions?
Brisbane’s triumph confirms an elimination final at home, but against who remains to be seen.
The Bulldogs, Carlton and Fremantle will all play on Sunday, with their results to determine who sets foot on in the Gabba.
If all three achieve victory, the Lions will take on the Blues in a repeat of last year’s preliminary final.
Both the Dockers and Bulldogs will be aiming for upsets against Port Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney respectively, and those outcomes could truly shake up the ladder.
But Fagan was confident regardless of who they faced, if there was to be another year which delivered a flag winner from outside the top four, it would be 2024.
“It feels that way doesn’t it? Because it’s been such a topsy-turvy year,” Fagan said.
“I’m confident if we can produce our best we’re going to give a good account of ourselves. We’re not coming into this finals series thinking we’re no chance, we believe in ourselves and I believe in our players.”