An Austin Lucy goal at the death wasn’t enough for Aspley to overhaul Brisbane, the Lions advancing to their second consecutive decider, by just two points.
Former Shark Lucy’s set shot sailed through from 45 metres, after teammate Clinton French goalled just moments earlier, but Aspley’s late surge was cruelled by the siren.
The 16.10.106 to 15.15.104 victory was Brisbane’s 17th of the year, but the result was far from convincing.
After outpointing the Hornets by 48 points in Round 14, Brisbane – fresh from a week off –entered the match as favourites, but it soon became apparent the Lions wouldn’t have it their own way, against an Aspley outfit coming off a 44-point Qualifying Final win over Southport.
Mop-haired youngster James Nelis soared for a spectacular mark and converted the goal during the first quarter, but it was the second stanza where the Hornets really piled on pressure.
As the game opened up, five majors to three – including a brilliant running goal from Daniel Smith – saw Aspley turn a 12-point quarter-time deficit into a lead of seven at the main break.
With a raucous Graham Road crowd cheering on the home side, the Hornets played some of their most irrepressible football of the season in the early stages of the third quarter.
Six-pointers to Nelis and ruckman Dylan Reid blew the margin out to 24 points, and with all the momentum, the Hornets looked headed for a date with destiny on September 15.
But football is a game of twists and turns, and Brisbane flipped the match on its head with a burst of goals as breathtaking as it was unexpected.
The Lions piled on six unanswered majors in less than ten minutes – including classy running bombs from Todd Banfield and Patrick Karnezis, and two Aaron Cornelius goals after strong grabs – to edge back in front.
Another swing in momentum in the quarter’s closing stages saw Clinton French kick two goals in as many minutes for Aspley, locking scores at 79 apiece at the final change, and setting the stage for a grandstand finish.
After Brisbane jumped out of the blocks with goals to Jack Crisp and Patrick Wearden, the Hornets responded with two majors of their own.
But it wasn’t to be for Aspley, late Lions goals to Banfield and Cal Bartlett enough to thwart the efforts of French and Lucy on the siren, ensuring the minor premiers advanced to the Northern Conference Grand Final.
“It was a feeling of pure elation after the game,” said Brisbane coach Leigh Harding.
“It was one of the better matches of footy I’ve been involved in, and I’m very relived to get over the line, as we were right up against it all afternoon.”
Aspley mentor John Blair was left to rue his side’s third quarter fadeout, along with a host of crucial misses during the second term, where the Hornets kicked seven behinds, but he still took plenty of positives out of the clash.
“It was a big improvement on the last time we played Brisbane, and it’s the closest another club from Brisbane has come to beating them in the last two seasons,” said the four-time premiership coach.
“Footy can be cruel or kind, and while we were lucky last week, this time around it didn’t quite go our way.”
Blair also took heart from the monumental performances of Dylan Reid, Jack Stanley, Ryan Matthews, and Reece Toye, along with French and Nelis, who both kicked three goals.
Jack Crisp was best afield for Brisbane, Patrick Wearden and Richard Newell shut down Nathan Clarke and Cheynee Stiller respectively, and Aaron Cornelius had one of his better games of the season, highlighted by a soaring hanger in the second quarter, and three goals.
Aspley will now take on Southport in this week’s Preliminary Final, while the Lions will rest up for an assault on back-to-back flags.
Last Modified on 02/09/2013 10:27