Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
A “prickly” Chris Fagan waited all season to deliver the old-fashioned spray that kicked the Brisbane Lions’ three-peat bid into gear and set him on course with old club Hawthorn in an AFL preliminary final.
Co-captain Harris Andrews said the tremors were felt at their Springfield base when the coach went off script while reviewing their Sydney shellacking in the opening week of finals.
Usually reserved and reluctant to catastrophise, the veteran coach’s old-school review did the trick.
The Lions kicked five goals in barely seven minutes on Saturday night – the quickest quintet in an AFL final – including two in the first 97 seconds against a shell-shocked Adelaide at the Gabba.
Charlie Cameron, Cam Rayner and Kai Lohmann all burst to life in the 21.18 (144) to 13.13 (91) victory.
A 53-point win, after another four-goal blitz in nine minutes to close the second quarter, was an emphatic response and ensured the two-time defending premiers head to Melbourne with confidence restored.
“He was, the word I used was, a bit prickly,” Andrews smiled after the Crows triumph sealed a fifth-straight preliminary finals appearance.
“And personally (as captain) you look and see where it went wrong for you and if your messaging was on song.
“We’re a prideful group and that start, the pressure around the ball, ability to win it and take territory, just phenomenal.”
Fagan, who admitted he hadn’t sprayed the side like that all season, had his mood brightened immediately afterwards when Zac Bailey knocked on his door and informed him he would be staying at the club.
The eight-year contract, preferred over a lengthier big-money deal at Adelaide, was a timely boost for the group and it was no surprise the midfield-forward ran amok against the Crows days later.
Bailey kicked three goals, but could have had twice that with better accuracy, as he collected 23 disposals and had a game-high 14 score involvements.
“He’s got a few things not many others have; speed, takes on the game, tackle breaks,” Andrews said of Bailey, who kept his thoughts largely to himself before making the call.
“He’s on his phone, sees all the media and scrutiny, and was able to put a lot of that to sleep and focus on his footy,” the captain said.
“And he just had a really dominant patch there for us. It’s special to have him.”
Fagan was part of the Hawks’ football department for four premierships and initially struggled against his former team, the Lions losing five-straight clashes between 2020 and 2024 even with Hawthorn battling.
Ironically, since the Hawks have established themselves as one of the league’s best teams, Brisbane have won their last three head-to-heads.
Hawthorn shot straight into the preliminary final after a dominant upset of Fremantle in Perth to begin their finals series.
“There’s a lot of things you have to do well to try and beat them,” Andrews said.
“They’re an exceptional team, we were special against Fremantle.
“We’ll enjoy this and then get back to work.”
Logan Morris was taken out of the game in the final quarter to manage a calf niggle, but Fagan said he was in no doubt for the Hawks clash.
