3 minute read
Brisbane had no shortage of match-winners - and highlight-reel fodder - in their 60-point victory over Sydney at the MCG.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED ON GRAND FINAL DAY
* The settler (Q1)
The Swans booted the opening two goals of the contest. In need of something of substance after two nervy behinds, Brisbane produced a beautiful passage of play. It started with the ball in defence and a scything pass from Hugh McCluggage, who took the aggressive option and picked out Ryan Lester in the middle of the ground. Lester worked the ball forward to Callum Ah Chee, who found Kai Lohmann. The 21-year-old's set shot never looked like missing. A minute later, Lohmann had two goals to his name.
* The 50m penalty (Q2)
Brisbane held what was, at the time, a game-high lead of 13 points after Lohmann casually kicked his third goal. The Swans conjured a near-instant reply thanks to Dayne Zorko's 50m penalty. An overly zealous Zorko overstepped after Robbie Fox took a mark on the cusp of the 50m arc, gifting his opponent a goal. Zorko was furious, even more so after seeing the replay on the big screen. It was the closest Sydney came to victory ... and their only goal in the second term.
* OMG Eric! (Q2)
The Lions seized control in scarcely believable fashion during the second quarter, kicking seven goals to one. The most staggering of those seven came via Eric Hipwood from deep in the pocket. The oft-maligned forward stepped around Dane Rampe, took a couple of steps, then slotted a miraculous goal with apparent ease. Hipwood borrowed a page from the Jason Akermanis theatrical playbook to celebrate, covering his mouth with one hand and putting the other on top of his head.
* The substitution (Q3)
Callum Mills' hamstring was a talking point all week, but perhaps the microscope should have been on Logan McDonald's ankle. The Swans ruled Mills out on Wednesday despite the skipper training freely. McDonald was backed to play after rolling his ankle in last week's preliminary final. The key forward managed a single kick and, obviously limping, was substituted out early in the third term.
* Rayner's speccy (Q3)
Cam Rayner, having been crunched by Brodie Grundy in the second quarter, soared high to claim a sensational pack mark above Tom McCartin and Nick Blakey. Rayner snapped truly, building Brisbane a 10-goal lead that confirmed the sting had well and truly gone out of the contest.
* Leapin' Lohmann (Q4)
Lohmann got the Lions started, so it was appropriate he helped finish the game off late in the fourth quarter after a couple of consolation goals for Sydney. The cult hero leapt above Rampe, converted for his fourth goal, and touched his boot in celebration. Soon after, Lohmann was hugging cup presenter Leigh Matthews on the bench.