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April 26, 2026 \u2014 6:41pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n Save this article for later<\/p>\n Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n Got it<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Charlie Cameron is mounting an early yet irresistible case to add a third All-Australian blazer to his glittering career, as the veteran continued to turn back the clock and revolutionise his game in a stunning 52-point take-down of Adelaide.<\/p>\n The Brisbane Lions champion\u2019s defensive pressure and classy touches were all on display in his side\u2019s 19.13 (127) to 11.9 (75) triumph of the Crows at the Gabba, with his willingness to push further up field sparking an onslaught of turnover success.<\/p>\n On the back of his exploits off the ball, Cameron\u2019s forward pocket threat yielded four goals \u2013 including his 450th career maximum \u2013 and carries on a career renaissance after enduring a lacklustre 2025 season by his standards.<\/a><\/p>\n In the initial exchanges, a shootout beckoned between Cameron and Izak Rankine \u2013 the latter producing two moments of magic to strike from the tightest of boundary angles.<\/p>\n That was until the third term, when despite Adelaide kicking the first \u2013 and their only \u2013 goal of the period through Brayden Cook, Cameron was quick to respond and trigger a procession of eight unanswered goals.<\/p>\n While Cameron\u2019s 16 goals for the year belies his output this time last season (eight from seven games, which included a pair of three-goal hauls), it has been his desire to cover the ground in a greater capacity which has captured the eye<\/a> \u2013 adding 15 disposals, five tackles, 10 score involvements and three clearances to his numbers.<\/p>\n Adelaide were already struggling to contend with Brisbane\u2019s midfield \u2013 Lachie Neale (42 disposals, four clearances, two goal assists) and Will Ashcroft (36 disposals, three clearances, two goal assists, a goal) in particular generating plenty of momentum and opportunities for the hosts.<\/p>\n The pair\u2019s slick hand balling proved a nightmare to contain, and by adding a roaming Cameron into the mix, it was too much to handle, as Brisbane\u2019s seven-goal third-quarter blitz buried the visitors into the turf.<\/p>\n \u201cCharlie was fantastic tonight, he was great last week too \u2013 I couldn\u2019t tell who was better out of him and Lachie Neale tonight,\u201d Lions coach Chris Fagan said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was so clean, he\u2019s kicking nice and straight, and I\u2019m pleased for him that he\u2019s playing that way.\u201d<\/p>\n The only poor signs for the Lions came late \u2013 Oscar Allen taken from the field grabbing at his ankle.<\/p>\n Bailey\u2019s stocks \u2013 and price tag \u2013 rises again<\/p>\n It took some time for Zac Bailey to build into this contest, but once he did, he ensured once he got Adelaide down they could not get back up.<\/p>\n Related Article The 26-year-old has become one of the AFL\u2019s most wanted men as he comes off contract at season\u2019s end, with Melbourne-based clubs reportedly ready to offer him well north of $1 million a year to pry him away from the reigning premiers.<\/p>\n Bailey has been solid without truly exploding thus far in 2026 to back up his maiden All-Australian honours of last year, but he issued a telling reminder of his calibre with a three-goal haul \u2013 coming into his own in the second half especially.<\/p>\n He added 29 disposals and seven clearances to his afternoon, and his efforts will ensure the Lions will continue to face an uphill battle to retain his services.<\/p>\n Bailey\u2019s presence took the pressure off Hugh McCluggage, with the co-captain kicking two goals but limited to 14 disposals as he continues to rebound from a calf strain lay-off.<\/p>\n Pressure game thrives<\/p>\n Brisbane coach Chris Fagan wanted to see greater defensive pressure exhibited across his squad, and they delivered that in spades.<\/p>\n In typical fashion, Josh Dunkley led that charge \u2013 finishing with nine tackles, to go with 22 disposals and 15 handballs \u2013 but his teammates were equally up to task.<\/p>\n One moment in particular summed up the reformed mentality in the second term, as Keidean Coleman and Darcy Wilmot combined to force a free kick for holding the ball. On the back of that turnover, the Lions marched back down field, with Conor McKenna kicking his second for the afternoon on a tight angle.<\/p>\n Ty Gallop\u2019s move from the forwards to the backline unit continued to reap rewards \u2013 before copping a knee to the back of the head which kept him motionless on the ground for a brief period \u2013 at a time when Brisbane are still without Dayne Zorko (calf), Noah Answerth (concussion), Jack Payne (knee) and Darcy Gardiner (shoulder).<\/p>\n It was the exact response Fagan had been hoping for after last week\u2019s two-point defeat to the Demons, who expressed he was \u201cexcited\u201d by what he saw from Gallop.<\/p>\n \u201cI just thought our all-round game was so much better. Last week we were fine with our contest and ball movement, but we weren\u2019t good defensively,\u201d Fagan said.<\/p>\n \u201cTonight we floated through the phases pretty well. Defence is attitude, and we let ourselves down in that department last week \u2026 it was a good collective effort\u201d<\/p>\n Heartfelt moment amid Crows\u2019 carnage<\/p>\n While Adelaide will be left licking their wounds, one heartfelt moment did enough to tug at the emotions of the AFL world.<\/p>\n Crows captain Jordan Dawson\u2019s second quarter goal did more than give his side their sole lead of the match, but proved a rare chance to celebrate in what has been a painful period following the sudden passing of his brother, Jaryd.<\/a><\/p>\n Dawson missed Adelaide\u2019s thrilling one-point win against St Kilda last week, and while his goal was ultimately in vain as the Lions\u2019 went on a tear, the sight of him in jubilation as he was embraced by teammates was one of the moments of the afternoon.<\/p>\n He was among the Crows best, getting on the scoreboard again in the final quarter and finishing with 28 touches, and was seen in tears post-game.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it did take a lot of courage, it\u2019s been a really tough week or so for him \u2013 and I think it\u2019s still there, post-game he was quite emotional. It\u2019s amazing what football can do; that 120 minutes to just go \u2013 and he did, he dug in and went to work,\u201d Crows coach Matthew Nicks said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a really tough place to be. I\u2019m really proud of the way he went about it tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Charlie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/f6c9e65aaf45c0c6ce98eb2a4a8128de7b8c6ecf.jpeg\")
Charlie Cameron of the Lions runs with the ball before kicking a goal during the round 7 clash.via Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7961ec04b8d98a23e4a57bd5bb754cb42bce17ae.jpeg\")
The Lions were in top form at the Gabba.AFL Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Noah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777047328_775_cbd9e180a0e452523f1451733de3841661f2f442.jpeg\")
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