Full Breakdown
Brisbane Lions Thwart Adelaide Crows in Gabba Semi-Final
By Drooid · · How we work
Match Overview
Brisbane secured a 53-point victory over Adelaide at the Gabba, winning 21.18 to 13.13. The Lions exploded with five unanswered goals in the opening seven minutes—a record for speed in an AFL final—before extending the lead to 38 points at half-time and finishing with a 57-point margin. Adelaide’s first goal arrived after 19 minutes, and despite a brief surge, they could not recover.
Key Performances & Statistics
- Charlie Cameron contributed five goals and nine score involvements in the first half, the third-most in AFL final history.
- Will Ashcroft recorded 30 disposals for Brisbane, while Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson matched that tally with eight tackles.
- Taylor Walker, playing his 318th and final AFL game, added two late goals for the Crows.
- Brisbane’s early onslaught featured goals from Kai Lohmann, Hugh McCluggage, Cam Rayner and newly-signed forward Zac Bailey, who had signed an eight-year extension earlier in the week.
Official Statements & Responses
Post-match, Brisbane’s leadership praised the team’s intensity, while Adelaide’s camp acknowledged the disappointment of a swift defeat after a strong start earlier in the season.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I couldn’t ask for anything more,” — Taylor Walker — Taylor Walker
- “The Lions are truly roaring here at the Gabba,” — Mark Howard — Mark Howard
Implications & Next Steps
The win propels Brisbane into a preliminary final against Hawthorn at the MCG, keeping their three-peat aspirations alive. Adelaide’s loss ends their finals campaign, prompting speculation about coach Matthew Nicks’s future after delivering the club’s first finals victory in nine years earlier in the week. Both clubs now turn their focus to upcoming matches that will determine their season’s ultimate outcome.