Brisbane Lions flick switch, turn off Power in second-half rout

Brisbane have continued their push for an historic second premiership “three peat” this century, demolishing a depleted Port Adelaide by 59 points for a seventh successive victory.

But the Lions had to work hard to shake off the Power, who hung in until midway through the third quarter before the home side exploded, kicking 14 to 5 goals in a crushing second half to win 19.12 (126) to 9.13 (67).

The result leaves Chris Fagan’s men fourth on the ladder, a game clear of Adelaide with four rounds to play, and with challenging games against Carlton, Hawthorn, the Gold Coast Suns and Collingwood to come.

On form, however, the Lions should fear none of them.

While the Power worked hard early to close space and force the Lions to use the ball more by hand instead of employing their usual precise kicking game, the Lions had too much class and too many avenues to goal.

Sunday’s game split open in the second half, with both sides going goal for goal from the centre ball-up before the Lions cut loose, finishing with seven majors to three in the third quarter.

The decisive blows were struck by Sam Draper, who plucked a centre-square ruck contest and galloped to 60 metres before launching, and Will Ashcroft, who extended the Lions’ lead to 29 points on the siren.

Port Adelaide finally folded in the last quarter as the Lions shifted into overdrive, turning what had been a hard-fought game into a procession.

Ashcroft was superb with two goals from 30 possessions, while Zac Bailey was destructive with three majors from his 26 and Harris Andrews was typically impassable in defence with 13 marks.

Perhaps the most encouraging sign was the inside game of Hugh McCluggage, who had his best match for the year, finishing with 29 possessions, five clearances and a goal as an inside midfielder.

The Lions’ defensive intent was shown late in the final quarter, when Draper spoiled a Port shot on goal on the line and celebrated as if he had kicked one himself.

Brisbane’s forwards also fired, with Logan Morris, Kai Lohmann and Charlie Cameron kicking three goals apiece.

Jason Horne-Francis was a shining light for Port, keeping them in the contest with a superb kicking exhibition that resulted in nine score involvements and three direct assists.

But without Port’s usual centre-square assassin Zak Butters, Horne-Francis lacked midfield support, with the Power doing well to stay with the Lions for as long as they did.

They were also let down by their set-shot kicking, with spearhead Mitch Georgiades ending with 2.4 for the game.

AAP