It was a dirty night in every sense of the word for the Lions.
And while some players could hold their heads high, eight walked away with fail grades.
Every Brisbane player rated out of 10 from the preliminary final clash against Geelong.
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2. Deven Robertson
Started on the wing then went to Patrick Dangerfield at the start of the third term. Laid more tackles than any other Lions player. Earned his spot. 5
3. Joe Daniher
Had Sam De Koning for company. Barely sighted in the first half then fluffed a set-shot opportunity at the start of the third term that went out of bounds on the full. Had to work hard up the ground to get his disposals, but simply wasn’t a threat close to goal. 5
4. Cal Ah Chee
Started on the wing next to Zach Tuohy. Drifted forward for an early goal. Very little impact outside of that. 4
6. Hugh McCluggage
Found plenty of the ball early with seven first-term touches, but his kicking was wayward. Then couldn’t get his hands on the footy after that. A rare dirty night — but he wasn’t the only Lion in that category. 3
7. Jarrod Berry
Was sent straight to the midfield and went head-to-head with Patrick Dangerfield at stoppages. Used the ball well by foot, kicked a goal and laid plenty of tackles. 6
9. Lachie Neale
Brisbane’s leading ball-winner, but far from his best game of the season. Got a lot of attention at stoppages, with an array of Geelong on-ballers rotating through him. Had three centre bounce clearances in the first 10 minutes, but only had one more clearance for the rest of the first half. The only solace could be the prospect of winning a second Brownlow on Sunday night. 5
10. Daniel Rich
Started on Isaac Smith but also had attention from Brad Close and Gryan Miers. A lot of his touches were from kick-outs. Used the ball efficiently by foot, but couldn’t generate the usual, penetrating drive. 5
11. Lincoln McCarthy
Began the game on the bench. Kicked an early goal, but couldn’t get into the game on a tough night for a small forward. 4
15. Dayne Zorko
Started as a high half-forward. A dirty night after a couple of brilliant finals performances. 3
16. Cameron Rayner
Came off the bench and played mainly across half-forward. One of the few that was able to accelerate away from stoppages on a tough night for the Lions. Came from the ground in the third term after a nasty rolled ankle and was eventually subbed out. 5
18. Keidean Coleman
Spent lots of time on Brad Close. Pulled off a stunning kick that set up Cal Ah Chee’s first goal in the opening quarter. Not his usual damaging self though. 5
23. Charlie Cameron
Had Jed Bews for company for most of the night. Blanketed in the first half then given a reprieve in the third term when he drew a holding free kick and nailed his first goal. Little impact outside of that. 4
25. Dan McStay
Not a great way to go out if that was his last game for the club. Jake Kolodjashnij went to him at the first bounce, while Tom Stewart also spent time on him. Fox Footy’s Nathan Buckley lamented his inability to compete in the air during the first half. No scoreboard impact. 3
27. Darcy Gardiner
Was given the job on Jeremy Cameron — and could hold his head high. Didn’t give the superstar Cat much room to move, while he also tried to set the Lions up from defence. 7
30. Eric Hipwood
Manned up by Jack Henry. Dropped a simple chest mark in the second term that led directly to Gary Rohan’s first goal. Kicked two junk time goals. 5
31. Harris Andrews
Fought valiantly against Tom Hawkins all night, often holding up under severe pressure. Hawkins eventually got off the chain in the second half, but the result could’ve been worse if it wasn’t for Andrews’ efforts early. 6
33. Zac Bailey
One of the few to work hard all night for the Lions. Telling goal at the start of the second term from a long-range set-shot. Ran out the game to be among the Lions’ leading ball-winners. 6
36. Rhys Mathieson
The starting medical sub for the second straight week. Came on in the third quarter and had a stack of the ball in the final quarter, albeit that was junk time. 5
37. Brandon Starcevich
Had the match-up on All-Australian Tyson Stengle and was well beaten. Did use the ball efficiently by foot, though. 4
40. Jack Payne
Lined up on Gary Rohan. Kicked the ball well and overall kept Rohan relatively quiet. 6
43. Noah Answerth
Started on the bench and played across wing/half-back. Little impact on the game. 4
44. Darcy Wilmot
Played as a high half-back after starting the match on the bench. Didn’t back down in his third AFL game and could walk off with his head held high. 5
46. Oscar McInerney
Back in the side after missing the semi-final due to concussion. Worked hard against the Stanley-Blicavs combination. Was Brisbane’s leading clearance-winner and almost half of his hit-outs went to a teammate’s advantage. 6
