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They were a long way from their best, but the Brisbane Lions have accounted for St Kilda in a hard-fought slog at the Gabba, grinding out a 12-point win in an inaccurate, sometimes sloppy affair.
But the manner of the victory matters less than the result, which completed a clean sheet for the Lions at home this season, going undefeated in 11 outings at the Gabba. It ensures they will finish second on the ladder, giving them at least two finals at the venue.
Joe Daniher gets a kick away.Credit: Getty Images
The Saints will now wait on the results of the Swans and GWS games on Sunday. St Kilda may need both to lose to avoid an elimination final in Sydney, though the Giants would also need to make up some percentage in their match against a hot Carlton on Sunday night.
At the Gabba St Kilda defender Josh Battle was concussed in the second quarter but, with the bye next week, he should be available to play provided he passes all the relevant tests. It was Battle’s second concussion this year.
The Lions always looked like they had more in reserve, even on an off night. There was a gulf in talent that – Carlton aside – defines the gap between this year’s top four and the rest of the eight. St Kilda are plucky, but there’s a long way to go.
Ex-captain Dayne Zorko remains critical to the Lions’ prospects. He is not quite the player he once was, but his 22 possessions showed he hadn’t lost his quickness of mind and laser-like foot skills.
Lachie Neale racked up 10 clearances, and Cam Rayner bobbed up with a lethal cameo in the third quarter. The Saints were still in the contest with five minutes to go, but Tim Membrey and Mitch Owens both missed chances to close the gap on the Lions.
Six weeks ago, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon lamented the skill level of his side after going down to Gold Coast, and some of his post-match complaints – short passes that landed at ankle height or less, simple handballs that missed the mark – still rang true.
Another problem was the Saints’ lack of dare. They remained stagnant and conservative, and thus lost all connection with their forward line. They were having a hard enough time clearing the ball from defence.
The Lions weren’t much better with ball in hand. Conor McKenna turned the ball over twice from consecutive kick-ins in the second quarter; Keidean Coleman picked out the Saints’ Dan Butler from 20 metres early in the third. None were punished on the scoreboard.
Otherwise, they were all over the Saints early, dominating territory, clearances and contested ball, and shots on goal, which they kept butchering. The tone was set early, when Joe Daniher hit the post from 12 metres out dead in front.
The Saints finally took the game on in the third quarter and were rewarded, levelling the scores when lively substitute Ryan Byrnes hit Tim Membrey on the chest. Jack Hayes, in his first game in 18 months, was mobbed by teammates when he kicked truly.
But last-quarter goals to Hugh McCluggage and Daniher put a couple of goals between the sides, and the Lions held St Kilda at arms’ length from there, aided by the visitors’ inability to finish when it counted.
BRISBANE LIONS 2.8 4.11 7.11 9.18 (72)
ST KILDA 3.1 3.3 7.5 9.6 (60)
GOALS – Brisbane Lions: Cameron 2, Daniher 2, McCluggage, Zorko, Rayner, McInerney, Fletcher
St Kilda: Membrey 3, Hayes, Gresham, Wood, Crouch, Butler, Phillipou
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