Brisbane has put together 30 minutes of their best football to slay St Kilda, proving that the reigning premiers are still the team to beat.
The Lions trailed early in the fourth quarter and faced the possibility of a 0-3 start to the season, before putting the foot down with six consecutive goals to win 17.11. (113) to 11.14. (80).
The final margin did not reflect how tight the game was for three and a half quarters.
READ MORE: ‘Intoxicated’ Woods arrested after rollover car crash
READ MORE: ‘She was shocked’: ‘Bogus’ report blasted by Jess Hull’s dad
READ MORE: Key Collingwood concerns mar dominant win
Kai Lohmann (left) and Charlie Cameron of the Lions celebrate. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Saints were certainly up for the fight, but when the game was there to be won, the class gap revealed itself.
One big issue throughout the game was a clear jumper clash between the two sides.
Brisbane opted to wear a Fitzroy inspired guernsey, but the dark colours were far too similar to St Kilda’s home kit.
Commentators struggled early, with SEN’s Gerard Whateley pointing out the issues players were having in the first quarter.
Speaking after the game, Brisbane star Dayne Zorko expressed his frustration with the clash.
“We’ll start with the jumper clash, I don’t know how they’ve approved that,” Zorko told 3AW.
“God, it was … everyone was coming off going ‘we just don’t know who to kick it to’.
“Thankfully we had the white shorts on and as the game slowed up and opened up a bit, you could identify.
“But when it was hot, I tell you what, it was difficult.”
The jumper clash was clear on Saturday afternoon. Getty
Brisbane’s first win of the season came at a cost however, losing two defenders to injury.
Noah Answerth suffered a concussion in the third quarter, copping a knee to the back of the head as young Saint Alix Tauru flew high to take a big mark inside 50.
Then in the final term, key defender Darcy Gardiner collided with St Kilda forward Liam Ryan as both players attacked the footy.
They met shoulder to shoulder at speed, with the Lion coming off second best, dislocating his shoulder.
It’s a horror setback for Gardiner and Brisbane, who are already without captain Harris Andrews due to suspension and Jack Payne remains sidelined with a knee issue.
Still, Gardiner’s contest helped win the ball back for the Lions, leading to a goal down the other end of the ground.
It was part of a flood of late scoring that led to the 33-point victory.
“They’ve blown them out of the water here Brisbane,” Richmond great Jack Riewoldt told Fox Footy in the fourth quarter.
Darcy Gardiner of the Lions gets help from medical staff. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“They’ve dominated this contest in the last quarter.”
Jarrod Berry and Will Ashcroft led the way in the midfield for the Lions, winning 31 and 29 disposals respectively. Lachie Neale had a quiet afternoon, tagged out of the game by Saint Riley Garcia.
Brisbane had a plethora of players finish with a pair of goals, including Oscar Allen, Cam Rayner, Kai Lohmann, Zac Bailey, Charlie Cameron and Logan Morris; highlighting the firepower they boast.
Liam Ryan and Cooper Sharman combined for six goals for St Kilda, while Jack Sinclair and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera led the way with 29 disposals each.
The Saints have now dropped winnable games to Collingwood, Melbourne and the Lions, hitting their bye with a 1-4 record.
Brisbane meanwhile hosts Collingwood at the Gabba on Easter Thursday.