Joe Daniher kicks four goals as Brisbane overcome 24-point deficit to defeat Port in battle of Grand Final hopefuls…but injury tolls mount for both teams after brutal encounter
- Brisbane Lions defeated Port Adelaide 80-69 at the Gabba on Saturday
- Joe Daniher kicked four goals as the Lions erased a 24-point deficit
- Port lost Travis McKenzie and Xavier Duursma to injuries in brutal encounter
- Lions star midfielder Lachie Neale was impressive and finished with 31 disposals
Brisbane have overcome sloppy skills and one calamitous Joe Daniher blooper in a comeback 11.14 (80) to 10.9 (69) AFL home win over Port Adelaide on Saturday night.
The Power led by 24 points late in the third quarter before the Lions finally found their groove with a five-goals-to-one final term, Lachie Neale leading the charge after Marcus Adams had earlier kept the hosts in the game.
Daniher finished with four goals but produced a forgettable moment on halftime, handballing after taking a huge mark at the top of the goal square just before the buzzer sounded.
The Lions came from 24 points down in the third quarter to defeat Port in a brutal encounter
It cost the Lions the halftime lead and, after a sloppy half from both sides, Port skipped away with three goals to begin the third, Dan Houston, Travis Boak (32 touches) and Ollie Wines (29) slowly taking control.
But the Lions lifted late in the third quarter, with Neale (31 disposals), Nakia Cockatoo, Lincoln McCarthy (two goals) and Noah Answerth playing a crucial part in the recovery.
Their ball movement returned just in time, Daniher kicking his third and fourth goals before McCarthy, Oscar McInerney and Charlie Cameron kicked truly.
Joe Daniher (left) kicked four goals for the Lions in their 80-69 win on Saturday night
Lions star midfielder Lachie Neale was his usual influential figure, with 31 disposals
Oscar McInerney kicked a late goal as Brisbane overcame the Power in the final quarter
Houston (36 touches, two goals, 10 inside 50s) was arguably best on ground, launching from outside 50m and hitting the post with 90 seconds to play and his side down by 10.
Travis Boak (32 touches) and Ollie Wines (29) were also influential for the visitors.
Port lost Xavier Duursma (collarbone) in the first quarter following a collision with Mitch Robinson in which the Lion was reported.
Dan Houston was instrumental for Port, kicking one goal and finishing with 36 disposals
Travis Boak was also influential, finishing with 32 disposals as Port just fell short
Port lost Trent McKenzie to injury after he landed awkwardly on his knee
Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko, playing off half-back, was substituted at three-quarter time with an apparent lower leg injury while Jarrod Berry also came off late with what seemed a shoulder injury.
With scores level midway through the final term, Port’s Trent McKenzie landed awkwardly and badly jarred his knee and had to be wheeled off the Gabba in the buggy.
Brisbane had new face Darcy Fort to thank for their early lead, the Geelong pick-up booting both their first-quarter goals in a perfect introduction in front of 25,100 fans.