Lions v Eagles: Brisbane Lions claim top four spot after dramatic victory over West Coast Eagles

Lachlan McKirdy

Lions v Eagles: Brisbane Lions claim top four spot after dramatic victory over West Coast Eagles image

The Brisbane Lions have snuck into the top four of the AFL ladder thanks to a dramatic victory over the West Coast Eagles on Saturday evening.

Both teams came to the Gabba with everything on the line. The Lions needed a win to go back into fifth spot while they could jump into fourth over the Western Bulldogs up if they made up the percentage difference. 

For the Eagles, they came into round 23 sitting outside the top eight and needed a win for any chance of making the finals. 

It set up the game as a fascinating contest with two teams certainly not lacking the motivation to get a result. 

The Eagles took a two-goal lead early before the Lions kicked the next seven to take a 23-point lead into quarter time. 

West Coast brought it back to within 11 points at the major change with Brisbane's top-four hopes looking on the ropes. 

The third quarter remained fairly even before two early last term goals to the Eagles had West Coast fans dreaming of a finals berth. 

With the score sitting at 118-87 for the final few minutes, the Lions needed just one point to secure a top-four spot on percentage. 

To put into perspective just how close the equation was, the Lions were sitting out of the top four by 0.011%. 

Daniel McStay had a shot from 50 metres out with 35 seconds left on the clock to get the point the Lions needed. He shanked his kick and it ended up going out for a ball-in. 

From the ball-in, Lincoln McCarthy managed to sneak in a behind with 17 seconds left on the clock to put Brisbane into the top four. 

Charlie Cameron then put the result beyond doubt by taking an intercept mark and calmly slotting the goal after the siren to give Brisbane a 38-point win, 19.11.125 to 13.9.87. 

It sparked scenes of celebrations across the Gabba, led by Chris Fagan after the final siren went and the Lions top-four spot was secured. 

The result means the Lions get the double chance in the finals and will take on either Melbourne or Geelong in week one. 

The Cats and Demons do battle on Saturday night in Geelong to see who will take out the minor premiership. 

While Saturday's result means the Western Bulldogs slip to fifth position and will take on the GWS Giants, Essendon or Fremantle in an elimination final. 

What a thrilling finish to an incredible AFL home-and-away season!

 

Lachlan McKirdy

Lachlan McKirdy Photo