Brisbane have defied the loss of a ruckman and their horror AFL finals record to remain standing in an electric two-point AFL elimination final shoot-out defeat of Richmond.
In a game with 17 lead changes, Joe Daniher had the final say when a Richmond spoil landed at his feet and he soccered through the go-ahead goal with 64 seconds to play at the Gabba.
The 16.10 (106) to 16.8 (104) win means Brisbane will now play the loser between Sydney and Melbourne, while it's curtains for Richmond, who had entered the finals in hot form.
Brisbane, who boasted a sorry 1-5 post-season record in the last three years, lost Oscar McInerney in the third minute to concussion while Dion Prestia (hamstring) was a costly loss for Richmond before half-time.
Tom Lynch, who had put Richmond 16 points clear in the third term before Brisbane rallied again, had a chance to seal it with two minutes to play but his set shot was reviewed to have missed.
Brisbane then shovelled the ball forward, Zac Bailey marking and sending the ball into the goal square.
Richmond's spoil bounced directly into Daniher's path, the lanky forward getting a boot to it for a two-point lead with just over a minute to go.
Lachie Neale (39 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 15 clearances) then made a crucial tackle to complete an incredible game and seal the ball in for the final seconds.
Hugh McCluggage was also impressive for the Lions while Dan McStay was a surprise performer when thrust into the ruck and Charlie Cameron's (three goals) workrate was huge.
Jack Riewoldt kicked two goals from deep in the pocket in the final quarter to put his side back in front while Marlion Pickett and Trent Cotchin were solid.
In his return from injury Dustin Martin had 15 touches and kicked a first-quarter goal.
Prestia was asserting his influence when subbed with a hamstring issue, 18-year-old Darcy Wilmot kicking truly on debut for Brisbane then Zac Bailey running into an open goal to give the Lions a seven point lead.
But, in just six kicks, Richmond scored the next three goals in a flash, Jack Ross's effort pushing them 11 clear.
Down by 16, Cameron streaked into the goal square to offer Brisbane life before Deven Robertson and Daniher split Tyler Sonsie's major to make it a five-point game at the break.
It was Cameron again just seconds into the final term, his snap pushing Brisbane ahead by one.
Both teams missed kickable set shots before McCarthy's mark 25 metres out, directly in front of goal was denied for a push off the ball.
Daniel Rich was then pinged for running too far as Brisbane rebounded again.
Tom Lynch marked but, with two minutes to play, his goal was reversed on review as it sailed high over the upright.
It was the break Brisbane needed as, after two finals losses by less than a goal in the last three seasons, they got one to go their way.
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Live updates
By Dean Bilton
Thanks for joining us!
Well that wasn't too bad, was it? That was an absolute slugfest of a final, one that either team could have genuinely come out on top of. In the end, it was Brisbane's night. Richmond can begin to plan for 2023 while the Lions have a date with either Melbourne or Sydney next week.
Thanks for your company tonight, I'll be back for that Dees-Swans final tomorrow night.
By Dean Bilton
One of the greatest elimination finals ever?
OMG WHAT A THILLER THATS FOOTBALL…GO LIONS.. DAM YOU DID IT TONIGHT..
- Mary Rachcoff
Well that was NOT good for my anxiety!
- Lionsssss
Thanks for the great commentary. Sitting here in Montreal it made my morning coffee very exciting.
- Les
By Dean Bilton
Joe Daniher's winning moment
Excuse me while I catch my breath for a moment. In the meantime, enjoy Joey Daniher's magic moment again and again.
By Dean Bilton
FT: LIONS WIN! BRISBANE HAVE WON!
What a game of footy.
By Dean Bilton
1': Brilliant tackle Neale!
Looked like Bolton was away through the middle, but Lachie Neale nailed him! 20 seconds to go...
By Dean Bilton
1': JOE DANIHER! OUT OF MID AIR! LIONS IN FRONT!
Bailey's kick was touched! It fell off hands in the goalsquare! Daniher swung a foot at it and finished the goal! Brisbane are in front with exactly 60 seconds to play!
By Dean Bilton
2': Zac Bailey marks on 50! Deep in the pocket!
90 seconds to go! Can he kick it from here?!?
By Dean Bilton
3': It's a behind! No goal!
ARC said the ball went over the goal post and was adjudged a behind! Lions still alive.
By Dean Bilton
3': They have no idea if it went through or not!
But umpire's call is a goal! So I think it will stay a goal, because it's impossible to know for sure!
By Dean Bilton
3': Tom Lynch marks on the goal line! This could seal it!
Lions look ed to be on the counter-attack, but the umpire said Rich ran too far with the footy! Two kicks later and it's in Lynch's hands deep in the pocket. HUGE kick...
By Dean Bilton
4': McCarthy marks dead in front... but it's a free kick to Richmond!
Daniher took out Tarrant! The Gabba is about to blow its lid! Definite free kick, but it's a huge call with four minutes to play.
By Dean Bilton
7': Time is running out
Six and a half minutes to play. Three points in it.
By Dean Bilton
9': Lincoln McCarthy slides in to mark. Big chance Brisbane
Moments like these will decide this match. And McCarthy has missed it. That's a bad one.
By Dean Bilton
11': Tom Lynch marks and will kick at goal
This to take the lead beyond one kick... but he's missed it! A bad miss from Lynch, and a let off for Brisbane.
By Dean Bilton
13': Jack Riewoldt has done it again! Same spot, same result!
I know I've said it a couple of times tonight, but this game. Goodness me. Riewoldt marked on the lead deep in the same pocket he was in about two minutes ago. And again the finish was befitting the champion. Tigers in front.
By Dean Bilton
15': Joe Daniher hits straight back! Lions back in front!
Just like that! Neale clearance, free kick given to Hipwood, advantage taken by Bailey, grubbered home by Daniher. Tell you what, that was a risky call to play on from Bailey but Daniher bailed him out with the finish.
By Dean Bilton
15': Jack Riewoldt, what a finish! Tigers in front
Incredible kick from Riewoldt, from the arc just about on the boundary! It carried Andrews' fingers on the line by an inch, but that's more than enough! Another lead change at the Gabba.
By Dean Bilton
16': Pickett rushes a behind
Wild appeals from Lions players for a deliberate rushed behind, but I'm afraid that's not the rule lads. Lions lead out to three.
AAP
