Swans implode as Lions issue an emphatic statement: They’re still the kings of the jungle

For much of the season so far, the Brisbane Lions have appeared inconsistent and a shadow of the side that stormed to consecutive flags, but they just delivered their most emphatic statement yet.

In dismantling the second-placed Swans 19.12 (126) to 12.11 (83), the Lions launched themselves firmly into top-four contention courtesy of a masterclass in pressure led by skipper Harris Andrews.

While Hugh McCluggage (calf) and Dayne Zorko (quad) remained sidelined, the Lions’ midfield turned the screws on their Swans’ all-star counterparts – with Isaac Heeney kept relatively well contained (30 disposals and seven clearances, but just 241 metres gained).

A 10-minute stalemate opened proceedings at the Gabba, and while much of the territory battle was won by Sydney, Andrews posed a major issue deep in defence and thwarted raid after raid with apparent ease.

His exploits opened the door for Charlie Cameron, Cam Rayner, Logan Morris and Jarrod Berry to all score on the counterattack. In contrast, the Swans’ only goals heading into quarter-time came on the back of a Jaspa Fletcher error and a free kick – Chad Warner and James Rowbottom ensuring the lead was kept to a minimum.

But with their foot on the gas, Brisbane never let it off, with only some inaccuracy in front of goal – kicking 4.6 to 2.1 in the second term (both Swans goals through Charlie Curnow) – keeping them from taking an insurmountable lead into the main break.

As the Lions limited the damage Sydney could inflict through their handpassing game, errors began to creep in for the visitors – twice conceding goals through Zac Bailey and Levi Ashcroft due to poor clearance kicks from the goal square.

Warner did all he could to galvanise his side, finishing with four goals, 28 disposals and eight clearances, with his second goal of the third stanza particularly special – intercepting a hurried Lachie Neale kick and taking a series of running bounces away from the two-time Brownlow medallist en route to goal. His first of the term also came from a Lions mistake after Darcy Gardiner spilled a simple mark.

However, every time the Swans struck, the Lions were quick to respond – Rayner and Cameron each nailing their second not long after those Warner moments. Conor McKenna was quick to follow suit, leading to a small scuffle between the sides as the Lions’ swagger returned, with a 50-metre free gifting Darcy Fort a maximum shortly after.

“Our big focus was to run forward at them because they want to play that handball game. It’s a little bit nerve-wracking for your players to do that, but that is how you have to play against them, and you have to take that risk,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said.

Ashcroft ascending, Rayner returns

It’s official: Will Ashcroft is well and truly back in form.

While it would probably take a harsh critic to suggest he had been anything but, the two-time Norm Smith medallist had endured a leaner period by his own lofty standards.

But, on the back of his two goals and 38 touches against Richmond last week, the 22-year-old led the midfield charge once again on Thursday night – constantly probing around centre bounces and finding his teammates further afield.

Ashcroft was pivotal in keeping Heeney from getting heavily involved until late in the third term, and while he was kept far quieter in the final quarter, the damage had largely been done. Ashcroft finished with 30 disposals and eight clearances, with his only blemish a series of missed shots on goal.

Up front, Rayner shrugged off a goalless three weeks to roar back to life – finishing with three goals and a pair of goal assists, while showcasing the strength in contested possession that has made him one of the AFL’s most eye-catching performers in top flight.

Warner’s heroics in vain

They had lost just twice heading into their Brisbane capitulation, but it became evident Sydney have plenty of reflecting to do on their adaptability.

Heavily pressured out of their free-flowing handball game, the Swans were devoid of answers and ways to attack meaningfully, and it took Lions mistakes for them to make a dent on the scoreboard.

While they had largely remained in the winner’s circle this past month, those triumphs – aside from their dominant display against Richmond – have been scrappy affairs, with bottom-seven sides St Kilda (two points) and Port Adelaide (three points) making them work for it.

Warner was ultimately the lone soldier, conjuring some brave and special efforts in a bold attempt to keep his team in the hunt, but his support was waning. Against a Lions outfit running fast and with plenty of support, he was simply overpowered until early in the final term.

Quick goals from Curnow – his third – and Logan McDonald triggered some fears another Gabba comeback could be on the cards similar to that of the Bulldogs in Opening Round. But a miracle one-handed grab and goal from Kai Lohmann extinguished those fears, before he struck again to send the Brisbane faithful into hysterics.

“Brisbane were cleaner, tougher, hungrier – it’s plain and simple,” Swans coach Dean Cox said after the game.

“You always get opportunities to learn and level out where you’re at. Against a backline that Brisbane have, you have to earn everything you get, and we just didn’t have enough of them in our team who wanted to go to the line long enough.”

In better news for the Swans, Cox confirmed key defender Tom McCartin – who has a history of concussion – was in good spirits, having passed a head injury assessment (HIA) and played out the game after a third-quarter incident.

“He’s fine in the change rooms now, which is great to see him pass that [HIA], and he can focus again on his football. At the time, when they say you’re going down for a HIA – no matter what player it is – you just want the best for that player and make sure they’re OK,” Cox said.

In the closing stages of the game, with the result well beyond doubt, Swans big man Will Edwards laid a heavy tackle on Neale boundary-side next to the interchange benches. Neale did hit his head on the ground in the tackle, but got up to take his free kick after teammate Noah Answerth remonstrated with Edwards. Those two could find themselves facing MRO scrutiny on Friday.

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