Sunny conditions provided the perfect backdrop for the contest, but Brisbane was slow to start in the first quarter. The Blues opened the scoring with three majors before Brisbane’s Ethan Duke opened the Lions’ scoring and Tai Hayes added another to close out the quarter. The Lions went into the first break with a 17-point deficit.
Coach Scott Borlace challenged his side to turn it around for the second term, and the Lions responded with an improved second quarter.
After Carlton extended its advantage early on through three majors, the Lions responded with a string of three goals in quick succession from Cody Curtin, Will McLachlan and Kyle Dunkley. Brisbane reduced the margin to a manageable 16 points, trailing 5.3 (33) to Carlton’s 8.1 (49).
The third quarter was opened by Curtis McCarthy, before Irishman Ben Murphy finished off some strong work down the wing to add another. Murphy soon kicked his second of the quarter, but from there the Lions’ scoring dried up.
Brisbane struggled to regain possession in the final term, with the Lions only kicking one major to Carlton’s six, two of which were kicked by Blues player Liam Farrar.
The home side ran away with a 19.6 (120) to 9.6 (60) victory.
Sam Marshall collected 25 touches and 14 hitouts, Luke Beecken and Darragh Joyce were resolute in defence. Curtin and Murphy both booted two majors each.
Saturday’s match marked the final away game for Brisbane’s VFL season. Next Saturday the Lions face Southport at Fankhauser Reserve, ball up is at 12:05pm.
Final Score
Carlton 19.6 (120) defeated Brisbane Lions 9.6 (60).
Goals
Curtin 2, Murphy 2, Duke, Dunkley, Hayes, McCarthy, McLachlan
