Proving that the indomitable magic-realism of the “Queensland spirit” extends to other codes as well, the Brisbane Lions have overcome a three-time premiership winning opponent and a historic third quarter deficit to beat the heavily favoured Geelong Cats at The Gabba in Brisbane yesterday. The Lions were down by as much as 52 points deep in the third quarter (aka screwed), with the Cats poised to do what they’ve always done for the past seven seasons and straight up murder people. But not this day.
The Lions reduced the deficit to “just” 38 at the final change and mounted a momentum-changing comeback which resulted in a barrage of forward 50 entries, 10 of the last 11 goals kicked, the biggest comeback in club history, and the equal eighth biggest comeback in AFL/VFL history. Fittingly, the win was secured in dramatic fairy tale manner with veteran Lion Ash McGrath, celebrating his 200th game no less, living the AFL player’s dream/nightmare of kicking to win everything after the siren.
The Cats, who had only lost one game this season prior to their meeting with Brisbane, were stunned. As was everyone else.
“This is better than a fairytale,” Fox Footy caller Anthony Hudson said. “You can’t dream these scenarios.”
Then McGrath sent it true.
Relive the last two minutes below…
