BRISBANE forward Joe Daniher has booted four goals as the Lions regained their tackling mojo in a 64-point AFL win over Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
The Lions kicked 10 goals to three in a dominant first half to set up the 18.10 (118) to 8.6 (54) victory on Sunday.
The result moved Brisbane (13-7) into fifth spot, and they are now all but guaranteed a home final if Queensland is able to host AFL action in September.
Fremantle (9-11) dropped from eighth to 12th and will need to beat West Coast and St Kilda in their final two games to have a chance of making the finals.
Daniher finished the match with 4.1 and seven marks from 17 disposals in his equal-biggest goal haul since moving to Brisbane, while Dayne Zorko was best afield with 34 disposals, seven clearances, 10 tackles, and one goal.
In less good news, hard nut Lions midfielder Mitch Robinson was subbed out at three-quarter time with what appeared to be a calf injury while defender Brandon Starcevich faces a nervous wait after collecting Fremantle’s Matt Taberner with a high bump in the first half.
Dockers defender Nathan Wilson was also subbed out in the final quarter with a hamstring injury.
Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong (30 possessions, five clearances) did his best to lift the Dockers, but the likes of David Mundy and Adam Cerra were uncharacteristically error-riddled at crucial moments when the game was on the line in the first half.
The tackle count showed the difference in intensity between the two sides, with Brisbane winning that stat 71-35.
It was a strong response following several weeks of mediocrity on the pressure front that resulted in three losses from four games.
The trend of Sunday’s match was set in the opening term as Fremantle committed a glut of costly errors.
The Lions were gifted two goals from 50m penalties when a Fremantle player encroached on the protected area.
But the most embarrassing moment came when Wilson played on after taking a mark in his defensive goalsquare.
Wilson took too long to get the kick away and was crunched by Zac Bailey, who scooped up the loose ball and kicked truly while the Dockers defender was on the turf grabbing at his injured ankle.
Brisbane took a 27-point lead into the first break courtesy of their six-goal term, and their intense pressure continued in the second quarter.
Two late goals to Daniher – including a tough set shot from the boundary after the siren – boosted Brisbane’s lead to 45 points at the long break.
Fremantle booted the opening two goals of the second half to spark hopes of a comeback, but it was quickly snuffed out by the Lions.
(C) AAP 2021
BRISBANE LIONS 6.4 10.6 14.8 18.10 (118)
FREMANTLE 2.1 3.3 6.3 8.6 (54)
Goals: Brisbane Lions: J Daniher 4 L McCarthy 3 C Cameron 2 D McStay 2 N Cockatoo 2 O McInerney 2 Z Bailey 2 D Zorko. Fremantle: T Colyer 3 J Treacy L Henry L Meek M Taberner S Darcy. Umpires: Dean Margetts, Leigh Haussen, Nick Brown.
Official Crowd: 29,589 at Optus Stadium.
