Brisbane Lions player ratings from Second Preliminary Final vs Geelong, highlights, stats, best and worst players #adessonews

In one of the greatest preliminary finals in the modern era, the Lions have got themselves over the line to play their second consecutive grand final

From veterans, to young guns and everyone in between – Brisbane performed across the board in one of the greater team efforts in recent memory.

Every Brisbane player rated from the Second Preliminary Final against Geelong.

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1. Kai Lohmann

Missed an early snap but looked lively in the early going, taking a cheeky hanger early in the second quarter. In the third term, Lohmann was one of Brisbane’s brightest sparks as the Lions got themselves right back into the contest — he had nine disposals and a goal in the stanza. Had a chance to make it very difficult for the Cats late in the game but missed a relatively simple set shot. 7

3. Joe Daniher

Matched up with Blicavs. Looked dangerous early as a forward-50 ruckman but struggled to make an impact overall in the first half. Had a couple of decent moments, and gets an extra mark for his mark on the Geelong goal line later in the last quarter. Nonetheless, wen’t scoreless for the day in a high-scoring affair by finals standards. 4

4. Callum Ah Chee

Tried to make Tom Stewart defensively accountable in the first quarter. Played a selfless forward role, sitting under packs — including when Lohmann marked in the last quarter — and making contests, and he was rewarded in the final term when he saluted from a set shot to put the Lions ahead. Kicked three in another strong finals effort. 7

5. Josh Dunkley

Had 28 disposals and seven intercept possessions in a strong performance. Lifted notably after quarter time, and kept busy for the remainder of the evening. 7

6. Hugh McCluggage

Caught holding the ball trying to do too much early on deep in defence, before turning it over seconds later after Geelong missed. In the second quarter, McCluggage caught Max Holmes in a tackle in Brisbane’s forward-50 that resulted in a set shot goal. Was consistent all evening, registering six turnovers to finish with a disposal efficiency of 78 per cent from 27 touches. 7

7. Jarrod Berry

Wasn’t as strong as last weekend, but still did Chris Fagan’s side a solid around the ball. Covered a lot of ground throughout the match, and looked threatening around the stoppage. 6

8. Will Ashcroft

Wasn’t as influential in the back half of the match, but set the tone early. Would have liked to have more involvement in scoring chains, but was by no means poor for his 22 disposals. 6

9. Lachie Neale

Geelong midfielder Tom Atkins lined up on him at the first bounce and ran with him. Neale had 10 disposals and six clearances in the third term as the Lions fought back. He had a game-high 26 disposals and 12 clearances at three-quarter-time. The dual Brownlow medallist finished with 31 touches and 446 metres gained in a special performance. Now hunting an elusive premiership in what will be his third grand final. 8

13. Logan Morris

Started on the bench but drew Jack Henry once he came onto the ground for Eric Hipwood. Handy mark and goal in the second quarter to stem Geelong’s flow. Took an impressive contested mark later in the quarter. Kicked a crucial goal in the final quarter amid Brisbane’s rampant comeback. Two goals in a preliminary final is certainly nothing to sneeze at. 5

15. Dayne Zorko

Busy from the get-go in defensive-half-to-inside-50 chains. Game-high 11 disposals in the first term, and led the game with 32 touches of the Sherrin at the final siren. Had 774 metres gained; a stat probably more important in finals than any other game given its usual congestion. Has arguably been the story of Brisbane’s season, and deserves a flag as much as anyone next week. Seven turnovers prevents a higher score. 8

16. Cam Rayner

Drew Jack Henry when he started forward in the opening quarter. After a relatively unassuming first half, Rayner got right into the game in the second, notching 11 disposals and kicking a goal from three scoring shots in the third term alone. He was a big part of that initial resurgence, and came alive again in the final term wth his second goal. Had six turnovers, but wow he played a massive part in his side’s comeback. Can’t beat that in finals. 8

23. Charlie Cameron

Kicked the game’s first goal after marking up against the boundary line. Delivered beautifully to Cal Ah Chee for a crucial final-quarter goal assist. 12 disposals and two goals in a preliminary final as a small forward passes the test, but will want to find another level next week. 6

26. Conor McKenna

Started as the substitute and came on for the injured Oscar McInerney. Delivered one of the craftier goal assists you’ll see to Logan Morris, who goaled from the square to give the Lions a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter. N/A

28. Jaspa Fletcher

Missed a first-quarter set shot from a difficult angle and was so-so for most of the afternoon. Finished with 17 touches after a big third term that got the Lions up and about. Is a sneaky X-factor for next week that shouldn’t be underestimated. 5

30. Eric Hipwood

Snapped Brisbane’s third goal of the first quarter after the ball fortuitously bounced his way. Was quiet either side of his third term, where he had five disposals and four marks. 4

31. Harris Andrews

Went to Ollie Henry in the opening stages. Set the tone from the outset as a disruptive presence in marking contests, before being moved onto Cameron after he kicked the Cats’ first goal. Lost a marking contest against Ollie Henry that resulted in a goal in the second term, before taking a masterful contested mark deep in defence to thwart a Geelong chance. 7

33. Zac Bailey

Kicked a terrific first-quarter goal streaming inside 50. Missed a similar gilt-edged chance in the second term but was a likely type all afternoon. Bailey had 2.2 from 15 disposals to three-quarter-time, and was at his damaging best in the premiership quarter. 7

35. Ryan Lester

Went to Jeremy Cameron in the early going, seemingly for aerobic purposes to match Cameron higher up the ground. It didn’t take long for Fagan to move Harris Andrews onto Cameron instead. Lester was flicked back onto Cameron at stages and overall played admirably, especially in the second half holding up in defence. 7

37. Brandon Starcevich

Held up solidly all afternoon, particularly as Brisbane mounted its third-quarter charge. Like many other Lions teammates, was better in the second half. 6

40. Jack Payne

Went to Shannon Neale at the opening bounce and was dependable for most of the afternoon. Seven of his 11 disposals were intercepts as he operated at 82 per cent efficiency. Kept Neale goalless and to nine disposals in a big, big win for him after last week. 7

43. Noah Answerth

Came up clutch across the second and third terms, registering 19 disposals across his first three quarters. Finished with eight marks and tackles while disposing at 75 per cent efficiency. Was one of their better players. 7

44. Darcy Wilmot

A few handy rebounding moments exiting defence, as well as gathering 10 intercept possessions across the evening. Finished with 24 disposals and was solid all in all for Chris Fagan’s side. 6

46. Oscar McInerney

Injured his shoulder after an attempted tackle and was in visible pain. He went straight down into the rooms but was strapped up at quarter-time and returned in the second term. Clearly playing in significant discomfort. “I wonder what impact Oscar McInerney’s injury had on that (Geelong’s momentum),” Lions legend Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy at half-time. McInerney was later substituted out of the contest. N/A