AFL: Lions down Swans in SCG Round 1 thriller

Brisbane has kicked off its premiership defence with a thrilling four-point victory over Sydney in a tense Grand Final rematch at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Swans burst out of the blocks with five of the first six goals, but the reigning AFL premiers worked their way into the contest and built a 10-point lead by the final change before holding firm in the frantic closing stages to seal a 12.14 (86) to 12.10 (82) win.

Zac Bailey was instrumental in Brisbane’s fightback, showcasing his class with four goals, including two in a game-changing third-quarter blitz. Dayne Zorko also proved crucial, pushing forward in the second half to kick two majors, including the sealer midway through the final term.

Despite a late scare when Isaac Heeney slotted his second goal to bring the Swans within a kick, the Sydney Swans couldn’t muster one last push as they slumped to their second consecutive loss to start the season.

The Lions’ resilience was on full display, overcoming a brutal start where injuries threatened to derail their night.

Already missing Charlie Cameron due to a late withdrawal with calf tightness, the Brisbane Lions were dealt another blow when Kai Lohmann, the four-goal hero from last year’s Grand Final, suffered a leg injury and was subbed out barely 10 minutes into the contest.

Logan Morris then left the field after a nasty head knock, blood streaming from his nose, though he was later cleared to return.

The setbacks continued in the final quarter, with defender Brandon Starcevich suffering his third concussion in 12 games, casting a cloud over his immediate future.

Amid the chaos, 18-year-old Levi Ashcroft shone in his debut, making an immediate impact with 24 disposals, including 10 in the last quarter.

Originally named as the sub, Ashcroft was elevated into the starting lineup following Cameron’s withdrawal and didn’t disappoint, producing a crucial toe-poke forward in the dying moments to help the Lions lock the ball in their attacking half.

Sydney had its chances to put the game away earlier, but costly misses proved their undoing.

Joel Amartey’s misfired set shot early in the third quarter, which would have pushed the Swans’ lead beyond three goals, instead marked the turning point as Brisbane capitalised with six of the next seven goals to take control.

The Swans also found themselves on the wrong end of ill discipline, with Justin McInerney lucky to escape further punishment after a reckless bump on Jarrod Berry, moments after Berry had given away a 50m penalty to Corey Warner.

The Lions now turn their focus to Round 2 where they are hot favourites with online bookmakers to down West Coast at the GABBA, while the Swans will be desperate to get their first win on the board when they travel to Perth to play Fremantle.

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