Lions’ season revival continues after holding off surging Saints

BRISBANE survived an almighty final-quarter scare from St Kilda to win by 20 points at the Gabba on Friday night and keep its finals chances well and truly alive.

The Lions led by 37 points at three-quarter time but watched their advantage dwindle all the way to just seven points before a Logan Morris goal steadied the ship.

When Joe Daniher kicked his fifth goal of the night moments later from the junction of the 50m arc and the boundary line and Charlie Cameron followed suit shortly after, the home team had done enough to survive.

It squares their ledger at six wins, six losses and a draw ahead of a crucial trip to Port Adelaide next Saturday.

Daniher was magnificent for the victors, kicking his goals from 20 disposals and 13 marks, while Dayne Zorko ((30) and Hugh McCluggage (26) were also decisive with their ball use.

The Saints trailed all night, but every time Brisbane looked like putting the game away, they fought back.

And unlike last week’s win over Gold Coast, they released the shackles and played exciting football to give themselves a chance, with Jack Higgins kicking five goals.

Liam Henry’s second half move into the midfield gave Ross Lyon’s team a spark, while Jack Sinclair had his usual strong impact.

But the Lions were the better team for longer, intent on moving the ball quickly to get around the stout St Kilda defence.

They raced to a 31-point lead at quarter-time, shifting the ball quickly, with players taking no more than a second or two to move it on and restrict the Saints’ ability to set up.

Unable to win a clearance – they trailed that stat 13-1 at the first change – Brisbane feasted on turnover, with Zorko often the architect, pinging the ball from half-back.

They were able to isolate their dangerous forwards, with Daniher, Morris, Cal Ah Chee, Cam Rayner and Kai Lohmann all kicking goals after marks inside 50.