3 minute read
Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss has challenged his side to build on their upset win over West Coast and produce more highlights as the season goes on.
The look on James Polkinghorne's face said it all.
Then again, only the most loyal - or delusional - Brisbane Lions supporter would have predicted an upset two-point win over AFL leaders West Coast Eagles at the Gabba on Sunday.
Yet Polkinghorne's booming 60m kick in the dying minutes ensured just that - even though he couldn't quite believe it himself.
"It's gone through and I looked over and he was in shock," inspirational Lions midfielder Daniel Rich laughed.
Lions coach Michael Voss rated the stunning 16.6 (102) to 15.10 (100) victory as their best since their upset over eventual premiers Collingwood in round 10, 2010.
Certainly it was a hard act to follow - but Voss challenged his side to produce many more highlights in 2012.
"It is an important win for our club but we don't want to hang our hat on it and that's it for the year," Voss said.
"We want this to be the key moment."
It was only Voss' 11th win in his last 49 games as Lions coach - and just fourth of the year.
But Voss admitted he may have been walking away with just a moral victory after the Lions trailed by 21 points early in the fourth term.
However, four straight Lions goals - including one of three final term majors from super-sub Josh Green - snatched back the lead for the hosts and ensured an intriguing final minutes.
The lead changed three times in the fourth term before West Coast's Jack Darling appeared to deliver the killer blow.
But a diving Niall McKeever somehow got a touch, ensuring Polkinghorne had the last laugh.
"An honourable loss looked like it might be the headline," Voss conceded.
"But in the final five minutes to come out and really want to win the game showed great character against a bloody good side.
"The guys have been looking for that for a while.
"We still need that consistency we are after but to play a top of the table side and get a win like that I am pretty proud of their persistence."
It was a fitting way to mark Jonathan Brown's 100th game as skipper - especially without veteran midfielder Simon Black (knee).
Rich and Jack Redden (both 21 touches) sparked the Lions while Polkinghorne, Green and Josh Drummond each had three goals.
Usually not one to highlight individuals, Voss heaped praise on Ben Hudson and Daniel Merrett for helping negate West Coast's hit-out dominance (75-29).
For the Eagles, Matt Priddis had three goals and 27 touches.
The AFL's longest road trip appeared to take its toll on a flat Eagles who trailed by eight points at the first break and 11 by halftime.
However, West Coast finally looked to have woken from their slumber when they kicked 5.2 to 1.1 in the third to take a 14 point buffer into the final term.