Needing to win by six goals more than what Mt Gravatt defeated Broadbeach, the Lions pounded the Western Magpies by 153 points.
It meant the Lions claimed hosting rights for the sudden-death final and have the final at Giffin Park, Coorparoo rather than at Dittmer Park.
The Lions loaded up with quality AFL players returning from injury and blew away an undersized but nonetheless game Western Magpies outfit.
The Magpies ended their return to top flight competition winless after 18 rounds, but their youth policy saw them most competitive over the last month and despite the size of last Saturday’s loss, they were not totally disgraced.
The youngsters still managed to generate 19 scoring shots in losing 32.19 (211) to 8.11 (59).
The magnitude of their task was reflected in the fact that the Lions had Jed Adcock, Rhan Hooper, Tim Notting and Matthew Leuenberger at their disposal, to go with the other serious talent on the Lions’ list.
Adcock, having missed half a season through injury, played like a man possessed in the second half.
He was held back until after the long break and attacked the contest as if he were in an AFL final.
Hooper played limited minutes in each quarter but showed all his nous and skill around goal, finishing with six for the match.
Leuenberger played on a wing for the first two quarters and while he did not win a stack of possession, looked to move freely and kicked one nice goal.
Notting did not drop his intensity after being omitted from the seniors, picking up possession at will and capping a fine game with five goals.
The Lions also again received great service from teenager Tom Rockliff, who booted six goals and continues to be a threat in the midfield and up forward.
The Magpies applied as much pressure as they could early and the Lions were held to a 5.4-1.2 scoreline at the first break, before blasting 11 goals in the second term.
Credit to the Magpies, they still tried to play constructive football and booted five goals themselves.
The effort in trying to match the super slick Lions outfit told in the last term, when the visitors managed just 0.2 to 9.3 as the scoreline blew right out.
Ed McDonnell completed an outstanding personal finish to the season by playing strongly in the two key defensive positions, while Scott Clarke also again impressed in the midfield.
It wasn’t all bad news for the Magpies, with their reserves side qualifying for the finals with a win over Aspley to finish in fifth place.
Mt Gravatt, boasting former Lions players Darryl White, Shane Morrison and Tom Tarrant and ex-Port Adelaide rookie Gavin Grose, will pose a serious test.
They have beaten the Lions twice during the season.
The victor will play the loser of Saturday’s qualifying final between Southport and Redland at Fankhauser Reserve.
SCOREBOARD
Brisbane Lions 5.4 16.8 23.16 32.19 (211)
Western Magpies 1.2 6.5 8.9 8.11 (59)
GOALS - Lions: R. Hooper 6, T. Rockliff 6, T. Notting 5, B. Dalziell 4, P. Hanley 2, L. Henderson 2, J. Adcock, L. McGuire, M. Leuenberger, M. Tyler, S. Clouston, T. Banfield, J. Power. Magpies: W. Fozard 2, D. Hamill, T. McEvoy, V. Pope, R. Wenham, B. Jaenke-Cain, G. Friis.
BEST - Lions: T. Rockliff, P. Hanley, T. Notting, B. Dalziell, D. Murray, R. Hooper. Magpies: E. McDonnell, B. Jaenke-Cain, J. Allen, D. Hamill, S. Clarke, G. Friis.
FINAL PREMIERSHIP TABLE
P W L D For Ag PC Pts
Morningside 18 16 2 0 2444 1297 188.4 64
Southport 18 13 5 0 1879 1238 151.8 52
Redland 18 13 5 0 2143 1745 122.8 52
Brisbane 18 11 7 0 2037 1682 121.1 44
Mt Gravatt 18 11 7 0 1796 1500 119.7 44
NT Thunder 18 11 7 0 1953 1699 114.9 44
Labrador 18 8 10 0 1533 1625 94.3 32
Broadbeach 18 4 14 0 1364 2024 67.4 16
Aspley 18 3 15 0 1292 2214 58.4 12
Magpies 18 0 18 0 1126 2543 44.3 0
