Quick hits: Neale gamble pays off and a Cat-astrophe for Cameron

[ad_1] Brisbane's gamble on Lachie Neale's health pays off with a team-lifting objective, a courageous Jeremy Cameron has a painful time out, and Charlie Cameron's objectives present a Nation Street soundtrack on the MCG.

Listed here are the fast hits from the Brisbane Lions' victory over the Geelong Cats within the 2025 AFL grand ultimate.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">1. Cats' tagger Mullin kicks second profession objective Irish AFL convert Oisin Mullin turned defence into assault, kicking solely the second objective of his profession within the grand ultimate. ( AAP: Joel Carrett )

When it is a tight, robust grand ultimate early on, you recognize that objectives will probably be at a premium.

However it's truthful to say that nobody would have had a objective from Oisin Mullin on their bingo card.

The person from Mayo has made his title as a tagger, shutting down among the AFL's most harmful attackers. However on grand ultimate day, he acquired concerned on the opposite aspect of the ball.

The Cats grabbed a turnover, with Brad Shut feeding Ollie Dempsey who set Mullin on his approach. The Irishman confirmed a clear pair of heels — and a barely much less clear kick off the boot, which however went by for a objective.

There was no Tadhg Kennelly-style jig in celebration, just a few airplane arms from the Irishman — however contemplating it was solely his second-ever AFL objective, he was entitled to get pleasure from it.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">2. Nation Street rings out after Charlie's magic snap <img alt="A Brisbane Lions player looks down as he points to the sky in celebration as a smiling teammate stands behind him." class="Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq" sizes="100vw" src="https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/6c1b4e11aa0b7aacf182f6f3be26839d?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=2039&cropW=3058&xPos=0&yPos=45&width=862&height=575" loading="lazy" data-component="Image" data-lazy="true"/> Charlie Cameron (left) introduced the Brisbane a part of the MCG to its ft along with his good snap from the pocket within the second quarter. ( Getty Pictures: AFL Photographs/Michael Willson )

Charlie Cameron has had a quiet season — and finals sequence — and Brisbane followers would have been hoping the Lions' dynamo might get again to his finest on the large stage.

Their prayers had been answered within the second time period, when the ball went deep inside 50 for Brisbane, and Cameron popped as much as seize the capsule.

There was nonetheless loads of work to do, as he wheeled round and went near the boundary earlier than snapping an absolute magnificence from a troublesome angle. The ball went by, prompting enormous roars from the Lions followers.

The opposite ingredient launched for this grand ultimate was some objective songs, and for Cameron's effort? No surprises, it was Nation Street by John Denver echoing across the MCG.

The stadium became the Gabba on the Yarra for some time, as Lions followers roared out a refrain or two — actually, they had been nonetheless going by the point they bounced the ball for the restart.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">3. Cat-astrophe as Cameron within the wars Jeremy Cameron's inspirational one-handed sort out on Jaspa Fletcher led on to a Geelong objective however despatched him off the sector. ( Getty Pictures: Michael Willson/AFL Photographs )

Grand finals should not locations for the faint-hearted, and the possibilities of getting spiflicated in a contest are excessive. It is not nice if it occurs in a contest along with your teammate.

Geelong hearts would have been beating rather a lot quicker within the second quarter when Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron went for a similar ball and collided. It regarded rather a lot worse when Cameron acquired up grimacing and holding his proper arm.

The Geelong spearhead was struggling to make an affect after that, and he regarded in strife going off at half-time.

He was again on for the third time period, however then got here one of many moments of the grand ultimate. Cameron chased down Jaspa Fletcher and delivered a one-handed sort out, grabbing Fletcher by the scruff and bringing him to floor.

The Cats went down the opposite finish and scored a objective, however Cameron was left in agony, clutching his shoulder and arm.

He went off however got here again as soon as extra after much more remedy. However he was clearly beneath duress and was unable to show issues round for his group.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">4. Lachie Neale gamble pays off for the Lions [ <img alt="A Brisbane Lions player is pictured mid-kick as he launched the ball towards goal, with a Geelong player trailing behind." class="Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq" sizes="100vw" src="https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/83643ab2be3df3d88b39b2d7fe29402a?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=1682&cropW=2991&xPos=0&yPos=94&width=862&height=485" loading="lazy" data-component="Image" data-lazy="true"/> The Lions put Lachie Neale in at half-time as the sub, but the Brisbane star put aside worries about his fitness to kick a team-lifting goal in the third quarter. ( Getty Images: AFL Photos/Adam Trafford )

The Lions were rolling the dice every way you looked. The banged-up side that took care of the Magpies in the prelim was counting the cost, as Jarrod Berry was out, Kai Lohmann was iffy, and Josh Dunkley spent half his week in a moon boot.

But the big gamble was for the team's co-captain, Lachie Neale. A calf tear in the qualifying final seemed to rule him out, but a monster trial last Saturday gave the hint he was right there. He trained on Tuesday, was named on Thursday, and despite some fans watching through their fingers, he played on Saturday.

His selection as the sub did not inspire confidence, but he came in at half-time in place of Sam Marschall. The Lions star looked proppy in the early stages, and the question of whether it was a bad call to have Neale on was a live one.

But then in a "you couldn't have scripted this" moment, the Lions forced another turnover, and it was like old times, with Dayne Zorko feeding a handball to Neale, who ran to 50 and unloaded a kick that split the sticks.

As the Lions fans erupted, so did Neale, who stood there and roared as he was surrounded by Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley for a group hug.

Brisbane led by 19 points at the final change, and the Lions were on their way.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">5. Rampant Lions win fifth flag of the 21st century <img alt="A group of Brisbane Lions players pile on top of each other in celebration on the field, as dejected Geelong players walk away. " class="Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq" sizes="100vw" src="https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/4576d835359b110a64238d0b2c4be795?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=3085&cropW=4628&xPos=0&yPos=0&width=862&height=575" loading="lazy" data-component="Image" data-lazy="true"/> It was celebration time again for the Lions at the MCG as they went back-to-back as premiers. ( Getty Images: AFL Photos/Michael Willson )

Regardless of who won this grand final, there was a history of a kind to be made.

The Cats and Lions came into this decider with four premierships each in the 21st century — but after such a late September showdown, only one team could make it five.

In the end, it was Brisbane who got the win, as the Lions kicked — wait for it — nine goals to five in the final quarter, as the Lions fans gathered at the MCG were in heaven. The margin blew out beyond 60 points at one point, before Geelong kicked a few in time-on to make the score slightly less one-sided.

The Lions became the 17th team in 100 years to win back-to-back flags, cementing the team's reputation and the place of coach Chris Fagan.

For the Cats, this was a devastating loss. Coming in as favourites, they had the early advantage but could not have foreseen the way they were overrun.

For the Lions, it couldn't get much better than this — except to do it again next year and emulate the early 2000s team that won three in a row.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">6. Will Ashcroft takes Norm home — again There were plenty of names from the Lions who could have had their name on the Norm Smith Medal after such a big win.

Harris Andrews was enormous in the backline, Hugh McCluggage had four goals to go with his 26 disposals, Zac Bailey overcame a wobbly start to kick 3.6, and Charlie Cameron's four-star — and four-goal — performance could well have seen him called to the podium.

But in the end, it was deja vu for the Lions, as Will Ashcroft took the medal for the second year running.

The Brisbane number eight was everywhere in the later stages of the game, racking up 32 disposals, eight tackles, 10 clearances, a goal, three goal assists and 10 score involvements in all.

The win makes him only the third player to win back-to-back Norm Smiths, and only one away from matching Dustin Martin, who won three in four years for the Tigers.