Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. TOTOTO Bullying the competition’s basement dwellers may not be the most emphatic way to be premiership, but the nature with which the Brisbane Lions decimated Essendon was a sign that, regardless of the opposition, they would
Bullying the competition’s basement dwellers may not be the most emphatic way to be premiership, but the nature with which the Brisbane Lions decimated Essendon was a sign that, regardless of the opposition, they would be willing to make a statement.
But a fourth-quarter fade may have left coach Chris Fagan frustrated and almost cost them the chance to jump into the AFL’s top four.
Led by the return of Dayne Zorko, the two-time defending champions moved closer to the cusp of the top four, the 22.17 (149) to 8.11 (59) triumphing for the fifth consecutive time as the scent of a three-peat title to rival the legendary Lions of the early 2000s grows more potent with each round.
Fagan’s men put aside a frustrating month in which their title credentials were called into question following three consecutive defeats, during which a defensive line without Zorko due to a quadriceps injury struggled to synchronize and direct traffic away from their own side.
But with the tireless veteran returning in lethal fashion on Sunday afternoon, Brisbane were unstoppable against an Essendon team still hoping for their second win of the season; their only success came back to April 11 against the Demons.
And while the hapless Bombers are hardly the scalps that will make the Lions’ heavyweights tremble in fear, the fact that they never seemed to have left cruise control was perhaps the most ominous warning they issued at the Gabba.
Fagan’s only annoyance at half-time would probably have been his team’s execution within 50 minutes: their efficiency was just 54.1 per cent, despite taking a 52-point lead.
Zorko dominated proceedings from the backfield, finishing Sunday’s clash with 32 disposals. to send a timely reminder to the Lions hierarchy of how influential he was as the 37-year-old seeks another contract extension.
The timeless veteran gave his midfield countless opportunities to go further: Will Ashcroft (three goals, 33 disposals, eight clearances) regularly combined with his brother Levi, including on the first of the latter’s two goals, while Lachie Neale (40 disposals, five clearances) seemed to be everywhere without breaking a sweat.
Kai Lohmann proved to be the most clinical in front of the sticks during the first two periods, scoring three goals, including one with a brilliant overhead mark in a congested match.
But any inconsistency Brisbane had in attack was quickly eradicated after the big break: two goals from Eric Hipwood and another from Logan Morris, former bomber Sam Draper and Josh Dunkley ensured the clash looked more like a bloodbath than a game of football.
Morris’ second after taking a free kick straight in front brought Brisbane’s century, with the 21-year-old kicking another to stay in the hunt for the Coleman Medal.
It took Essendon more than 37 minutes to finally get a goal through Peter Wright, as the Lions defensive unit, led by Ty Gallop. – He refused to give them any chance.
The Bombers had to wait until the first minute of the fourth period for their second goal, again on a shot by Wright.
Nate Caddy (two), Andrew McGrath, Isaac Kako and Sam Durham added their names to the scoresheet, with Wright starting a third, as Brisbane took their foot off the gas and almost cost themselves the chance to put Adelaide in the top four on percentage.
It took a quick brace from Will Ashcroft to ensure they moved up the table.
Every time the Lions started moving the ball down the corridor, they seemed to have plenty of time to do their bidding in what turned out to be a harsh lesson in how long this rebuild can take, regardless of who they choose to take the coaching reins long-term.
But the fact that they won the final quarter – kicking 7.2 to 6.3, while facing a 95-point deficit at the final break, with Zorko rested for much of the period – certainly brought some joy and signs of promise to interim boss Dean Solomon.
McCluggage returns, but when will he be unleashed?
Since returning from a calf injury suffered in the first quarter of round one, Hugh McCluggage has been a shadow of the man who burst into an all-Australian jacket last season.
The Brisbane co-captain missed another four weeks with a similar problem and returned alongside Zorko in the swap on Sunday, albeit with less success apart from an early goal.
Averaging just 17 touches per game this year, 10 fewer than his 2025 exploits, the 28-year-old was given the chance to get back into the mix as his teammates dominated their younger, beleaguered rivals, finishing with 16 touches and two clearances.
He made a good play-on touch after a mark to gift Charlie Cameron his second goal in a quiet but impeccable performance.
The injury-interrupted year McCluggage has endured, limited to just 10 of a possible 17 games, has Lions fans wondering when they’ll see the best of their superstar.
If he can time his run and rediscover his best in the final exchanges of the campaign, as his team continues to win without him in his old destructive touch, then he is shaping up to be a final X-factor who can really propel Brisbane to a third consecutive flag.
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