The Brisbane Lions secured a historic third-straight AFL premiership, defeating Fremantle 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) at the MCG. In a barely believable grand final, the defending premiers ended with a four-goal spree in the final four minutes, including the final two from Logan Morris, that followed the Dockers’ Wharfie Time activation. At that stage Fremantle led by 17 points, but from there the Dockers appeared stationary.
Brisbane finished like a freight train on an afternoon that began with Kylie Minogue’s sparkling performance that featured The Loco-Motion. It was only the second time since 1981 that a team has won the grand final after trailing at three-quarter-time, following Geelong’s comeback over St Kilda in 2009. Two stunning goals from Fremantle’s Hayden Young late in the third quarter – including a bender from the boundary – booked the Dockers a 10-point lead heading into the final term.
The Lions hit back to raise the tension in a fourth quarter which included an unbelievable miss from Docker Josh Treacy from the goal square. But when Patrick Voss put it through with four minutes left, the Wharfie Time horn roared around the MCG. It looked almost certain the wait for a flag was over for the Purple Army, and the celebrations were already beginning.
But within minutes the horde from the west were stunned. Charlie Cameron brought it back to 11 points with a goal seconds later, then Zac Bailey from the ensuing centre bounce dropped the margin to five points. Morris finished the comeback with a set shot and then the sealer as Dockers players dropped to their haunches, shattered.
The rain that had set in over Melbourne in the late morning eased briefly for Minogue’s performance, but it was steady again for the anthems and at the start of the game. The heavy skies left the playing field lit up by the arena lights as if first bounce was in twilight. They illuminated Charlie Cameron’s opener, the rain bucketing as Take Me Home, Country Roads echoed around the MCG.
The chorus was interrupted, however, by a Treacy mark and goal from 55. It was a hint at the pattern of the afternoon. Back and forth the second term went, goal for goal.
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