football - round 24

Sydney Swans   3.3  11.7  14.9  18.11 (119)
Brisbane Lions  4.3   6.6    9.9     9.13 (67)

GOALS
Sydney Swans: Bolton, Goodes 4, Rohan, Spangher 3, Parker 2, Hannebery, Malceski
Brisbane Lions: McGrath 3, Karnezis 2, Rich, Hawksley, Redden, Cornelius

BEST
Sydney Swans: Bolton, Goodes, Spangher, Rohan, McVeigh, O'Keefe, McGlynn
Brisbane Lions: McGrath, Rich, Leuenberger, Hanley, Karnezis, Hawksley

INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Reid (calf), Grundy (illness) replaced in the selected side by Malceski and Jetta
Brisbane Lions: Banfield (hamstring) replaced in the selected side by Buchanan

SUBSTITUTES
Sydney Swans: Spangher replaced by Jetta in the fourth quarter
Brisbane Lions: Retzlaff replaced by Buchanan in the third quarter

Umpires: Margetts, Chamberlain, Meredith
Official crowd: 27,721 at SCG.

It was the last game for the season and the year. Brisbane Lions won the first quarter before Sydney Swans picked up the pace. Match report by James Dampney and Ryan Chase. Photos by Craig Golding for Slattery Media.

Jack Redden 

Simon Black

Aaron Cornelius

Matthew Leuenberger

football - round 23

There are 24 rounds this year to allow for the new 17th team in the competition with two byes (game free rounds) for each team, playing a total of 22 games per year.  In previous years, with 22 rounds, one round was split over two weekends allowing half the teams to have a game free weekend during that round.

West Coast           5.2    5.5    9.10    13.11 (89)
Brisbane Lions    4.4    7.6    9.12    11.15 (81)

GOALS
West Coast: Masten 3, Nicoski 2, Kennedy, Ebert, LeCras, Hams, Shuey, Priddis, Lynch, Gaff
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff 2, Rich, Redden, Drummond, Power, Polkinghorne, Adcock, Karnezis, Cornelius, Sheldon

BEST
West Coast: Lynch, Gaff, Priddis, Masten, Shuey
Brisbane Lions: Black, Raines, Rich, Hanley, Rockliff

INJURIES
West Coast: Cox (eye)
Brisbane Lions: Staker (knee)

SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Dean Cox replaced by Ashley Smith in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Brent Staker (knee) replaced by Patrick Karnezis in the first quarter

Reports: Josh Kennedy (West Coast) for striking Mitch Golby in the fourth quarter 
Umpires: McBurney, Ryan, Mollison 
Official crowd: 13,500 at the Gabba

It was a wet game and the slippery conditions suited Brisbane Lions more than West Coast. While a loss (again), it was a valiant effort against a top four side. Sadly, Luke Power surprised supporters by announcing after the game that it was his last. Power is one of the club greats.  Match report and on Power's retirement by Michael Whiting.

Photos by Chris Hyde for Getty.

Sam Sheldon

Simon Black

Brent Staker (against his former team)

Luke Power

football - round 22

Collingwood                2.4     7.10   12.16    14.18 (102)
Brisbane Lions            3.5     5.6     6.6        13.6 (84)

GOALS
Collingwood: Cloke 5, Young 2, Fasolo 2, Swan 2, Brown, Sinclair, Beams
Brisbane Lions: McGrath 3, Staker 2, Rockliff 2, Cornelius 2, McKeever, Banfield, Sheldon, Power

BEST
Collingwood: Cloke, Swan, Ball, Beams, Pendlebury, Didak, Young
Brisbane Lions: Leuenberger, Rockliff, Redden, Maguire, Black, McGrath

INJURIES
Collingwood: Andrew Krakouer (quad tightness) replaced in selected side by John McCarthy, Reid (ribs)

SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Ben Reid (ribs) replaced by John McCarthy at three-quarter time.
Brisbane Lions: Patrick Karnezis replaced by Daniel Rich during the third quarter.

Umpires: Dalgleish, Findlay, Jeffery
Official crowd: 47, 788 at the MCG

Although it was a loss, it was a great effort against the top team with the Brisbane Lions in the lead at the end of the first quarter. The second and third quarters were Collingwood's game. Going into the final quarter, the margin could have blown out from 46 points but the Lions fought back and cut it down to 18 points, kicking seven goals. Match report by Jason Phelan.

Photos by Darrian Traynor for Slattery Media, except Rockliff by Michael Willson

Luke Power

Simon Black

Tom Rockliff

Patrick Karnezis

football - round 21 - QClash 2

Brisbane Lions    5.2    7.5    10.11   18.15  (123)
Gold Coast          1.4    3.6    4.9        8.13    (61)

GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Staker 2, Clark 2, Polkinghorne 2, Sheldon 2, Banfield 2, Leuenberger 2, Black, Raines, Adcock, Hanley, Stiller, Karnezis
Gold Coast: Rischitelli 2, Shaw 2, Ablett, Fraser, Stanley, Bennell

BEST
Brisbane Lions: Black, Redden, Leuenberger, Staker, Rockliff, Drummond
Gold Coast: Bock, Ablett, McKenzie, Brennan, Iles

SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane Lions: Aaron Cornelius replaced by Pat Karnezis at three-quarter time
Gold Coast: Charlie Dixon replaced by Dion Prestia in the third quarter

Umpires: Rosebury, Ryan, Wenn
Official crowd: 23,565 at the Gabba

Finally a win! Even if it was against another bottom-ranked team.  Dubbed the 'QClash' - Q for Queensland for the two teams in the state, the second rivalry game was won by the Brisbane Lions and redeemed them for the loss in round 7. Though a win, there was far too much inaccurate kicking-to-target. Match report by Michael Whiting.

Matthew Leuenberger (photo: Bradley Kanaris/Slattery Media)

Ash McGrath (photo: Jonathan Wood/Getty)

Aaron Cornelius (photo: Bradley Kanaris/Slattery Media)

Josh Drummond (photo: Jonathan Wood/Getty)

football - round 20

Adelaide              6.3      9.5    10.10    16.14 (110)
Brisbane Lions    5.1    11.6      14.7     16.9 (105)

GOALS
Adelaide: Walker 4, Gunston 3, Wright 2, Johncock 2, van Berlo, Henderson, Jacobs, Riley
Brisbane Lions: Cornelius 4, McGrath 3, Clark 2, Karnezis 2, Rockliff, Hanley, Pokinghorne, Leuenberger, Banfield

BEST
Adelaide: Thompson, van Berlo, Gunston, Jacobs, Sloane
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff, Black, Hanley, Staker, Cornelius, McGrath

INJURIES
Adelaide: Knights (calf)
Brisbane Lions: Patfull (wrist)

SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Chris Knights (calf) replaced by Ricky Henderson in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Joel Patfull (wrist) replaced by Jsoh Dyson in the first quarter

Umpires: Kamolins, Armstrong, McInerney
Official crowd: 17,930 at the Gabba

Brisbane Lions played well until the final quarter, when the Crows woke up and closed the gap on the scoreboard until their final goal, winning the game. Match report by Michael Whiting.

James Polkinghorne (photo: Matt Roberts/Getty)

Simon Black (photo: Bradley Kanaris/Slattery Media)

Patrick Karnezis (photo: Matt Roberts/Getty)

Brent Staker (photo: Matt Roberts/Getty)

Jack Redden (photo: Matt Roberts/Getty)

football - round 18

North Melbourne    4.7 8.10 12.15     17.20 (122)      
Brisbane Lions         4.0  8.5  10.6      11.11 (77)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Pedersen 3, Petrie 3, Harper 2, Edwards 2, Wells 2, Bastinac 2, Goldstein 2, Warren
Brisbane Lions: Cornelius 2, Karnezis 2, Clark, Polkinghorne, Black, Power, Rockliff, Hawksley, Banfield

BEST
North Melbourne: Bastinac, Harvey, Ziebell, Swallow, Petrie , Adams, Edwards, Goldstein, McMahon
Brisbane Lions: Black, Rockliff, Redden, Raines, Leuenberger, Adcock

Reports: Michael Firrito (North Melbourne) reported for striking Simon Black (Brisbane Lions) in the second quarter.

Umpires: Dalgleish, Chamberlain, Pannell
Official Crowd: 20,809 at Etihad Stadium

It was a promising start for the Brisbane Lions and there was a slight chance until the third and fourth quarters. In the end, the Lions couldn't deliver. Match report by Jennifer Witham.

James Polkinghorne (photo: Andrew White/Slattery Media)

Jack Redden flies for a mark (photo: Mark Dadswell/Getty)

Brent Staker (photo: Andrew White/Slattery Media)

Simon White (photo: Sean Garnsworthy/Slattery Media)

A contested (pack) mark (photo: Robert Prezioso/Getty)

football - round 17

Geelong                     3.4      9.4      13.8    20.13 (133)
Brisbane Lions          4.6      8.8      13.11  15.14 (104)

GOALS
Geelong: Podsiadly 8, Hawkins 3, Corey 2, Christensen 2, Stokes, Johnson, Hunt, Varcoe, Bartel
Brisbane Lions: Banfield 4, Clark 3, Karnezis, Hawksley 2, Rockliff, McGrath, Power, Sheldon

BEST
Geelong: Podsiadly, Bartel, Corey, Christensen, Taylor, Stokes
Brisbane Lions: Leuenberger, Black, Banfield, Raines, Hanley, Rockliff

INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Brown (face)

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Simon Hogan replaced by Steven Motlop in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Jonathan Brown replaced by Ryan Harwood in the third quarter

Umpires: Kennedy, Bowen, Pannell
Official crowd: 19,906 at the Gabba

Unfortunately, this game was not broadcast live across most of Australia and the free-to-air channel and subscription satellite service showed the same Sydney game instead. Live reports via Twitter showed that Brisbane Lions were certainly playing well for the first three quarters and led on the scoreboard for much of that time. While it was a loss, Brisbane Lions held well, particularly during the absence of Mitch Clark and captain Jonathan Brown following a ground collision. Match report by Michael Whiting.

'Goose' Matt Maguire (photo: Bradley Kanaris/Slattery Media)

Patrick Karnezis (photo: Bradley Kanaris/Slattery Media)

Joel Patfull (photo: Bradley Kanaris/Slattery Media)

Brent Staker praying after the game (photo: Chris Hyde/Getty)

football - round 16

Hawthorn            5.2   6.5   10.8   16.9   (105)
Brisbane Lions    1.2   4.4    8.5    9.9      (63)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 3, Hale 3, Whitecross 2, Puopolo 2, Hodge, Smith, Shiels, Hale, Osborne, Guerra
Brisbane Lions: Brown 3, Redden 2, Karnezis 2, Power, Sheldon

BEST 

Hawthorn: Gibson, Hodge, Mitchell, Franklin, Whitecross, Bailey, Ellis, Hale
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff, Black, Redden, Hanley, Karnezis, Brown, Power

INJURIES 

Brisbane Lions: McGrath (lower leg), O'Brien replaced in selected side by Bewick

SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Milne subbed on for Young (leg) in the fourth quarter
Brisbane Lions: Bewick subbed on for Retzlaff in the third quarter

Umpires: Kennedy, Grun, Pannell
Official crowd: 14,604 at Aurora Stadium

Hawthorn were a much better team. Despite defeating them in the past at this ground in Launceston, they were far too good. Match report by Stu Warren.

Jed Adcock (photo: Hamish Blair/Getty)

Pearce Hanley (photo: Hamish Blair/Getty)

Ash McGrath (photo: Hamish Blair/Getty)

Matt Maguire (photo: Sean Garnsworthy/Slattery Media)

football - round 15

Brisbane Lions        4.1      7.3      13.5    15.9 (99)
Port Adelaide           4.2      8.5      13.6    13.10 (88)

GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Brown 4, Power 3, McGrath 2, Sheldon 2, Karnezis 2, Bewick, Stiller
Port Adelaide: Schulz 7, Ebert 2, Cassisi, Gray, Rodan, Phillips

BEST
Brisbane Lions: Black, Power, Brown, McGrath, Adcock, Raines
Port Adelaide: Schulz, Hartlett, Cassisi, Gray, Boak

Umpires: Chamberlain, Hay, Ryan
Official crowd: 17,276 at the Gabba

Finally a win for the Sunday afternoon game though notwithstanding the fact that Port Adelaide, like Brisbane Lions, had only won two of their last 13 games, and sitting towards the bottom of the ladder.  It was still a terrible game to watch.  Match report by Michael Whiting.

Niall McKeever (photo: Bradley Kanaris/Slattery Media)

Jack Redden (photo: Bradley Kanaris/Slattery Media)

James Polkinghorne (photo: Chris Hyde/Getty)

Joel Patfull (photo: Chris Hyde/Getty)

football - round 14

Fremantle           2.5   5.6   10.8     12.16 (88)
Brisbane Lions   4.1   7.5   10.5     10.5  (65)

GOALS
Fremantle: Pavlich 5, Broughton 2, Hinkley 2, Crowley, Johnson, Lower?
Brisbane Lions:  Brown 2, Rich 2, Retzlaff, Polkinghorne, Karnezis, Bewick, Redden, Rockliff

BEST
Fremantle:  Pavlich, Broughton, Silvagni, Fyfe, Crowley, Palmer.
Brisbane Lions:  Black, Stiller, Rockliff, Redden, Rich, Leuenberger.

INJURIES
Fremantle: Barlow (general soreness) replaced in selected side by Hayden, Mzungu (calf) replaced in selected side by Hinkley, McPharlin (groin), Sandilands (suspected foot).

Umpires:  Ryan, Pannell, Keating
Official crowd: 30,330 at Patersons Stadium

Again, I wasn't expecting a win so the first quarter results were a pleasant surprise. A fair effort from the guys until the final quarter fade-out.  Match report by Nathan Schmook.

Niall McKeever (photo: Will Russell/Slattery Media)

Rohan Bewick (photo: Will Russell/Slattery Media)

Simon Black (photo: Paul Kane/Getty)

Tom Rockliff (photo: Will Russell/Slattery Media)

Jack Redden (photo: Will Russell/Slattery Media)

football - round 13

Richmond                2.5      7.9      12.13   18.17  (125)
Brisbane Lions        4.2      7.6       10.9     14.10  (94)

GOALS
Richmond: Martin 5, Vickery 4, Miller 2, Reiwoldt 2, Grigg, Cotchin, Foley, Deledio, Nahas
Brisbane Lions: Redden 2, Karnezis 2, Brown 2, Clark 2, Banfield 2, Harwood, Bewick, Polkinghorne, Hanley

BEST
Richmond: Cotchin, Martin, Vickery, Houli, Rance, Foley
Brisbane Lions: Leuenberger, Redden, Rockliff, Hanley, Banfield

INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Clark (ankle); Banfield (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Jayden Post replaced by Tom Hislop in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Mitch Clark replaced by Patrick Karnezis at start of third quarter

Umpires: McBurney, Schmitt, Hay
Official crowd: 21,510 at the Gabba

I hadn't expected a win but the first quarter effort from the Lions leading on the scoreboard set the scene with their gutsy effort. That was before Richmond woke up. Redden was really good and Patrick Karnezis had a good debut with a first goal with his first kick in an AFL game.  Match report by Michael Whiting.

Photos by Bradley Kanaris/Slattery Media

Jack Redden

Mitch Golby

Todd Banfield

football - round 12

Carlton                      4.4   8.8    14.9   19.10 (124)

Brisbane Lions          2.3   3.5    4.8      9.9 (63)



GOALS
 - Carlton:  Walker 5, Betts 3, Ellard 2, Garlett 2, Hampson 2, Murphy 2, Carrazzo, Russell, Garlett, Henderson, Tuohy

Brisbane Lions:  Brown 2, Clark 2, McGrath 2, Rich, Black, Collier



BEST - 
Carlton: Simpson, Judd, Murphy, Scotland, Walker, Tuohy

Brisbane Lions: Redden, Rockliff, Black, Clark



Umpires: Margetts, Kennedy, Ryan


Official crowd: 43,617 at Etihad Stadium

There was almost no chance of winning this game. It was also rather painful to watch, even on television. I can be thankful not to have made the trip to Melbourne for this game. Match report.

Cheynee Stiller (photo: Andrew White/Slattery Media)

Simon Black (photo: Hamish Blair/Getty)

Tom Rockliff (photo: Hamish Blair/Getty)

Todd Banfield (photo: Greg Ford/Slattery Media)

Ash McGrath (photo: Greg Ford/Slattery Media)