Live: Crows stunned by early Brisbane blitz in sudden-death semi

Phew! The game had settled down after those initial minutes of madness and the Crows had managed some field position without really looking threatening.

A slick counter-attack caught the Lions defence out a bit there and Cook’s clever pass found Curtin. The young gun drilled his set shot and has given his side a pulse. Belatdely.

Jeez, that would have just about capped it off. Harris Andrews hasn’t kicked a goal in three years, but he’s hit the post there from a set shot directly in front.

Meanwhile Dayne Zorko is sucking them all in here. He is provoking and drawing and collapsing with the best of them, and has played his part in a 100 metre penalty for Andrews which took the ball from end to end.

This is cooked. The Lions have just strolled straight out of the middle again, Rayner shrugging off a tackle before getting to 45 and nailing his shot on the run. Insane footy.

We’ve played three minutes and 10 seconds of this game. And I’m afraid to say it might be over already.

Not only have the Lions kicked four goals in the first three minutes, they have all been absolute rippers. This time McCluggage has drilled one on the run from 50 out, right on the boundary.

The Crows haven’t turned up. This is not looking good.

Shades of the 2023 grand final there from Bailey as he skirts the boundary line in the left forward pocket before running away into space and nailing his snap. Everything the Lions touch is turning to gold.

Zac Bailey, who had to choose between Brisbane and Adelaide when considering his future, underlines his choice with a fast start for his Lions.

Incredible Lions start, and an absolute carbon copy of last night! Two stunning goals before the Crows have managed to touch the ball.

Rayner dropped a mark inside 50 that he should have taken, but it matters little when Charlie is roaming. He takes the ball in the same pocket Lohmann just scored from and dribbled through a gem of a goal.

Told you they would start fast. Shai Bolton last night, Kai Lohmann tonight.

The ball was scrambled forard by the lines with some kicks off the deck, and when given half a chance deep in the pocket Lohmann was absolutely brilliant. Sensational finish, Lions are away.

With the Welcome to Country and national anthem completed we are just about ready to go here.

Last night we saw Fremantle answer some doubts immediately with an incredibly fast start against the Cats, and I reckon we might see something similar from Brisbane here tonight. All eyes on that star-studded Lions midfield, which is taking shape now as we count down to the bounce.

There’s a buzz around the Gabba as the siren sounds. The second semifinal is underway.

The Crows form a tight huddle together before they break through the banner to the acclaim of the small pockets of Crows fans here.

That noise is quickly obliterated by the roar for the Lions as they break through, accompanied by flames and fireworks and fanfare. This is Brisbane’s final game at home this season and the Gabba crowd looks set to make the most of it.

Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson have taken a deeper look:

A lack of effort and complacency were quickly mentioned as scapegoats for the Lions’ loss, while the Swans’ resilient spirit was credited for the victory.

While complacency may have played a role, the indications are that the issues may sit a little bit deeper.

This Lions’ season has hinted at a couple of issues not seen in previous years.

The Lions’ title defence — and their bid for a premiership three-peat — might just come apart at the hands of their own defence.

Read the full piece below:

It’s a lovely evening in Brisbane, a fraction chilly (by Brisbane standards) but no real risk of rain and unlikely to be impacted by any real breeze.

It’s a sell out at the Gabba tonight too, not a spare seat in the house. A massive test of Adelaide’s nerve.

There was shock around the SCG last week when Sydney, supposedly down and out in the wake of scandal, produced an inspired finals performance to simply blow Brisbane away.

The Lions have subsequently faced accusations of complacency and arrogance, charges they would no doubt deny but opened themselves to with a poor showing against the Swans. They were outworked, outrun, outmuscled and outclassed by a Sydney side missing a hatful of its prime movers.

A response is expected of the Lions tonight. Anything less would surely be a tremendous disappointment.

Adelaide’s last weekend was far more positive, as the Crows answered the bell for coach Matthew Nicks and put the Western Bulldogs away in the last quarter.

It wasn’t a vintage performance but it was one full of character, which in some ways meant more after the dismal end to Adelaide’s 2025.

The Crows’ win again proved the value of its prolific forward line, which will be required to lift again tonight if a win over the Lions is to be found. With the monkey of the back, the Crows are now freed up and confident. A dangerous blend.