The Brisbane Lions have been named 2024 Premiers after defeating the Sydney Swans on the MCG on Saturday, September 28.
The 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60) win delivered the Lions their first flag since 2003 and 12th through its Fitzroy history as Fagan lifted the cup in his eighth season at the helm.
Will Ashcroft, having missed last year's decider with his knee injury, was superb and showed again he is a champion in the making with 30 disposals and a goal. He became a Norm Smith medallist in his second season in the AFL.
Kai Lohmann lit the fuse early and finished with four and Callum Ah Chee kept the flame alive throughout with four majors. Joe Daniher is considering retirement but showed he is at the top of his game, with only inaccuracy potentially costing him a Norm Smith Medal.
Sydney struck first with the opening two goals, the first from Will Hayward and the second a superb snap from Tom Papley. But the small lead didn't quite sum up the contest after the Lions' early inaccuracy.
Lohmann kicked their first, and then their second a minute later on his left foot to give Brisbane the energy it needed.
They continued to control the play with their uncontested marking game as Hugh McCluggage cruised into a third goal, with the gun midfielder tallying nine opening-quarter disposals.
James Rowbottom's long set shot was a steadier for the Swans, who were preferring their shorter forward targets than their key position options, but Charlie Cameron's snap from the boundary restored Brisbane's eight-point lead at the first change.
The Lions kicked seven goals to one for the second term. Lohmann kicked his third from the pocket, Cameron spotted Daniher cleverly for another, Ah Chee's finals series continued with two for the term, Jarrod Berry capitalised on Nick Blakey's turnover to slot a long goal and Eric Hipwood kicked a goals from the boundary line. When Logan Morris booted their 11th, the Lions had leapt to a 46-point lead for half-time.
Neale continued to dominate the midfield battle in the third quarter, with Daniher also showing up the Swans defence. If it is to be Daniher's last game of an enigmatic career – the 30-year-old is weighing his future – then he went out on a high, kicking 2.4 but proving pivotal to the Lions.
Sydney found its best quarter in the final term kicking four goals, but it was too late for the side which went down by 60 points at the final siren.
SYDNEY 3.1 4.3 5.4 9.6 (60)
BRISBANE 4.3 11.7 16.11 18.12 (120)
GOALS
Sydney: Parker 3, Warner, Rowbottom, Papley, Heeney, Hayward, Fox
Brisbane: Lohmann 4, Ah Chee 4, Morris 2, Daniher 2, Rayner, McCluggage, Hipwood, Cameron, Berry, Ashcroft
BEST
Sydney: Rowbottom, Florent, Fox, Gulden, Parker
Brisbane: Neale, Ashcroft, Lohmann, Ah Chee, Daniher, McCluggage
INJURIES
Sydney: McDonald (ankle)
Brisbane: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Braeden Campbell (replaced Logan McDonald in the third quarter)
Brisbane: Conor McKenna (replaced Logan Morris in the final quarter)
Crowd: 100,013 at the MCG
