Brisbane vs Hawthorn: Lions Roar Into Finals With Thrilling Gabba Victory
The AFL’s home-and-away season couldn’t have asked for a more dramatic finale than what unfolded at the Gabba on Sunday evening. Brisbane and Hawthorn, two sides with very different aspirations heading into the clash, delivered a contest filled with tension, controversy, milestones, and moments that will be remembered well beyond this season.
For Brisbane, this match was about more than just four points. It was about pride, belief, and the right to finish inside the coveted top four. For Hawthorn, it was a chance to shake up the finals picture and carry some momentum into September. What the thousands of fans inside the Gabba witnessed was a contest that captured the very essence of AFL football – raw, unpredictable, and unforgettable.
The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
Heading into the game, the ladder was tight. Brisbane had their destiny in their own hands: win, and secure a top-four finish. Lose, and risk tumbling into the elimination final bracket, where the margin for error is razor-thin.
For Hawthorn, while the stakes weren’t as high, they had every reason to come out firing. Finals were already guaranteed, but momentum counts for plenty in September football. Knocking off a top-four contender would have been the perfect statement heading into their own knockout journey.
A Chaotic Start: Lions Waste Chances
From the very first bounce, Brisbane stamped their authority on general play. They dominated clearances, surged forward with regularity, and looked far more polished with ball in hand. Yet, there was one glaring problem—accuracy.
The Lions finished the opening quarter with a staggering eight behinds without a single goal. Fans in the stands grew restless as chance after chance went begging. Hawthorn, meanwhile, punished them with efficiency. Mabior Chol lit up the first term with three goals, proving again why he is such a dangerous weapon inside 50.
By the quarter-time siren, the scoreboard painted a very different picture from the flow of play. The Hawks had their noses in front, and Brisbane were left ruing wasted opportunities.
Momentum Shifts and Big Moments
The second quarter belonged to Hawthorn’s resilience and Brisbane’s frustration. The Lions continued to dominate inside 50s, but their struggles in front of goal kept the Hawks alive. Just before halftime, Jack Ginnivan produced a moment of brilliance with a snap on the siren, levelling the scores and sending the Hawthorn faithful into raptures.
The Gabba was buzzing, but it wasn’t the energy Brisbane had hoped for. Their fans wanted to see a powerhouse performance; instead, they saw a side unable to convert dominance into reward.
Milestones That Mattered
This clash was already steeped in importance, but milestones added another layer of emotional weight. Dayne Zorko, the club’s spiritual leader, ran out for his 300th game—a remarkable achievement that had the crowd on their feet. Alongside him, electrifying forward Charlie Cameron celebrated his 250th appearance, another reminder of the Lions’ rich vein of experience.
Both players were central to Brisbane’s fightback. Zorko’s composure in traffic and Cameron’s relentless pressure inside 50 proved crucial in the third and fourth quarters, as the Lions finally began to find some rhythm.
The Turning Point: Controversy Strikes
Late in the final quarter, with just two points separating the sides, tension reached boiling point. Hawthorn had worked tirelessly to stay in the contest, and it looked like an upset was on the cards. Then came the moment that will be talked about for weeks.
Karl Amon attempted a defensive handball under pressure. The umpire deemed it deliberate and called “insufficient intent.” The decision stunned players, coaches, and fans alike. Bruce Reville stepped up, took the free kick, and slotted the goal.
Almost immediately after, Cam Rayner pounced on a loose ball inside 50 and drilled home another. In the space of two minutes, the Lions had turned a nail-biting finish into a game-clinching lead.
Final Score and the Numbers Behind It
When the siren finally sounded, the relief around the Gabba was palpable. Brisbane had secured a 10-point win with a final scoreline of 11.23 (89) to 11.13 (79).
The stats told the story of a side that should have won by much more. Brisbane dominated in disposals, inside 50s, and contested possessions. Their inaccuracy in front of goal was alarming, but their sheer weight of opportunities was enough to grind out the result.
Hawthorn’s Brave Effort
For Hawthorn, there were plenty of positives to take despite the loss. Chol’s early fireworks, Ginnivan’s timely goals, and the midfield’s ability to absorb pressure all showed why they will be a dangerous opponent in the finals.
While the Hawks leave Brisbane disappointed, they will know that their season is still alive. The challenge now is regrouping quickly for an elimination final, where there are no second chances.
Brisbane’s Reward: A Qualifying Final Awaits
By locking in third place on the ladder, Brisbane have secured the double chance—a priceless advantage in finals football. They now face a mouth-watering qualifying final against Geelong at the MCG, a rematch of last year’s blockbuster preliminary final.
For a side that has been close to premiership glory in recent years, this is their chance to show they can go all the way. The Gabba remains their fortress, but the road to the grand final will test every ounce of their resilience and belief.
Key Takeaways From the Clash
-
Accuracy Matters – Brisbane’s inability to convert set shots nearly cost them dearly. It’s an area they must sharpen before September.
-
Experience Counts – Zorko and Cameron’s milestone performances proved how valuable leadership is in pressure moments.
-
Hawthorn Are No Pushovers – Despite being underdogs, the Hawks took the fight to Brisbane and nearly pulled off an upset.
-
Finals Intensity Has Arrived Early – This match felt like a finals contest, and both sides will take lessons into the weeks ahead.
The Fan Perspective
Supporters leaving the Gabba had mixed emotions. Brisbane fans were thrilled with the win but couldn’t ignore the concern around their side’s goal-kicking woes. Many admitted that against stronger opposition in September, wastefulness could spell disaster.
Hawthorn fans, meanwhile, walked away with pride. Their side had matched a top-four heavyweight in every aspect except scoreboard pressure. They know the road ahead is tough, but they also know their team has the fight to cause some damage.
Looking Ahead
The finals picture is now set. Brisbane enter September with momentum, experience, and the invaluable double chance. Hawthorn, on the other hand, will head into an elimination final with plenty to prove and the hunger to cause an upset.
Regardless of what happens next, the Brisbane vs Hawthorn clash will be remembered as one of the defining matches of the season. It had everything fans could want—big milestones, controversial calls, thrilling moments, and the roar of a crowd living every kick, handball, and tackle.
Final Thoughts
AFL thrives on drama, and the Brisbane vs Hawthorn game was proof of why the sport continues to capture hearts across Australia. Brisbane’s victory was far from perfect, but it was gutsy and symbolic of a side determined to chase premiership glory. Hawthorn may have fallen short on the night, but their fight and flair suggest their story this season is far from over.
As September looms, both clubs know their destiny rests not just in talent, but in composure under pressure. If this game was a taste of what’s to come, AFL fans are in for one of the most thrilling finals series in recent memory.
