When the Lions came to Casey Fields, they knew what had to be done. Win and top 4 would
almost be secured. Winning would shift the spotlight to Williamstown, who as we now
know, were defeated by the Sandringham Zebras, seeing the ‘Gulls finishing 5th .

The Lions knew what was at stake and when the going got tough, they managed to grind out
a win against the reigning premiers in the Casey Demons 11.14 (80) to the Demons’ 12.6
(78).

It was an end-to-end affair, with both sides at times brilliantly using the ball both by hand
and foot, but at others turning the ball over and being made to pay for it.

Big games from Jaxon Prior (22 disposals) and Tahj Abberley (20 disposals) saw the Lions
able to capitalise on Casey turnovers more often than not.

On the other side, whilst not necessarily having high-disposal games, the Demons were
astute in defence with the likes of Tom Freeman, Kye Turner and Daniel “Disco” Turner (25
disposals, 8 marks) making life hard for the Lions going inside 50.

“Disco” Turner was terrific in defence all game and based off of his performance, it wouldn’t
go astray to say that he might be disappointed that his fellow defenders weren’t able to
help him keep the Lions forwards out of the game.

Brodie Grundy also returned to the VFL in just his 3 rd VFL game of the season. He finished
with 37 hitouts and 12 disposals, including an un-ruckman like running snap to set up a Taj
Woewodin goal with the first inside 50 of the third quarter.

In a season-defining game, the Queensland based side took it up to Casey although it was
the Demons who had the ascendancy early.

Early goals for AFL-listed Tom McDonald and Charlie Spargo got the Demons off and running
despite plenty of inside-50’s early for the Lions.

A debut goal for commentary-box-favourite, Ziggy Toledo Glasman, extended the Dees’
margin to 16 points, before Luke Dunstan added another to make the margin 21.

Lions skipper, Wylie Buzza, (who finished with 2.1, 14 disposals, and 9 marks), snapped the
Lions’ first and settled the nerves.

However, Tom McDonald’s second goal pushed the margin back out to 20 with a rushed
behind leading to the Demons holding a 21-point lead at quarter time.

It was ominous signs for Brisbane early as Casey looked to be getting back to that
premiership form at what, in season 2022, became a fortress in Casey Fields.

Despite the early dominance from Casey, Brisbane’s barometer Rhys Mathieson was electric
through the middle ending the quarter with 12 disposals and a couple of inside 50’s. He
finished with 37 disposals, 5 tackles and 7 clearances, in what turned out to be a best on
ground performance.

Goals to Matt Jefferson and a second for Luke Dunstan saw the Demons open up a 33-point
lead seven minutes into the second quarter.

That would prove to be the biggest margin of the game as the Lions, kicking to the Casey
Fields end, kicked four goals to two and reduced the margin to just seven points at the main
break.

The two sides went goal-for-goal early in the third term, but with both sides having kicked
three each for the quarter, it was the Demons led by Tom McDonald (3 goals, 14 disposals),
and Mitch White (2 goals, 24 disposals) who kicked the next two.

Amidst all the chaos and perhaps adding to it, Michael Hibberd was taken off for a
concussion test and did not return for the rest of the day.

McDonald’s and White’s goals were followed by a second for debutant Ziggy Toledo
Glasman, which extended the margin back out to 17 points in what was a nice run of goals
for the Demons.

However, the Lions, as they did all day, picked themselves up off the canvas and kicked a
late one through Tom Fullarton, getting the perfect response with a set-shot directly in front
to make the margin just 11 points at the final change 12.3. (75) to 9.10. (64).

The last quarter was set up to be a thriller. The Lions, trailing by 11 points, were kicking to
the Casey Fields end and had the breeze (which was not as prominent as we’ve seen
previously at Casey Fields).

It was as hotly contested as we’d seen since the game began and 39 tackles were laid in the
quarter, eight more than any other quarter.

With the game on the line, Brisbane took the heat to the faltering Demons and got the
perfect start through Henry Smith, who snapped truly for his second.

Then, as the clock ticked over seven minutes and with the ball trapped at right half-forward
and close to the boundary line, Jimmy Tunstill kicked the goal of the day from 47 metres out
on the boundary line with a perfectly straight drop punt.

For just the fourth time in the game, the Lions found themselves in the lead by one point.
The Dees fought back but regrettable misses for Andy Moniz-Wakefield and Ziggy Toledo
Glasman saw the Demons only able to level the scores halfway through the final quarter.

A second behind for Harry Sharp and then a further rushed behind pushed the margin back
out to two for the Lions.

Then, with just seconds left and with Brodie Grundy charging in from behind him, Jaxon
Prior stood his ground and took an intercept mark on the last line of defence, fittingly
ending with the footy in his hands as the siren sounded to end a classic at Casey Fields.

With the Lions victorious and Williamstown losing, Brisbane locked away a top 4 spot and
the Demons saw themselves drop into a wildcard spot in 7th , where they will have to face
the Kangaroos next week, needing to win five games straight to win their second straight
flag.

Photography credit: @rosypeaphotography