BRISBANE LIONS    3.3  7.4    8.5    16.6 (102)
WEST COAST        2.1    5.5    10.7    15.10 (100)

Brisbane has continued the run of upsets in Round 9, scoring a miraculous two-point win over the top of the ladder West Coast Eagles.

The Lions stormed home, kicking 8 final quarter goals to steal victory from the Eagles.

Josh Drummond (26 disposals, 3 goals) was excellent for the victors, while Brisbane substitute Josh Green played perhaps the most influential sub role to date, after he came on in the fourth quarter to kick three goals and set another one up.

Josh Drummond led the way for the Lions - http://www.flickr.com/photos/roger-the-sheep

Buoyed by previous results this round, Brisbane were quick to demonstrate they too could force an upset, getting off to a great start, kicking three first-quarter goals to the Eagles’ two to take an eight-point lead to quarter time.

The Eagles managed to get back in to the game in the second quarter however, taking the lead briefly before two late goals to the Lions saw the margin extend at 11 points at the main break.

In what is known as the premiership quarter, the Eagles collectively stood up. West Coast piled on five goals to Brisbane’s one, to seemingly secure the outcome of the game and restore normality to the script, leading by 14 going into the final quarter.

Brisbane was reading on a different script though.

Seemingly out of the contest when West Coast took a 20-point lead four minutes into the final quarter, the Lions rallied, displaying resilience beyond what they have shown this year.

They were lead by substitute Green, who kicked three final quarter goals and set up a teammate with a spurt of energy that proved to be contagious amongst the Lions.

Jack Darling had what would’ve been the match-winning goal touched by Irishman Niall McKeever, with a last ditch effort that typified the Brisbane performance.

It was left to James Polkinghorne to kick a 60-metre torpedo to steal what seemed the unlikeliest of victories. His kicked produced scenes of euphoria all around the Gabba as the Lions claimed a two-point lead with just over a minute remaining.

The Lions managed to hang on, claiming one of the upsets of the season to reignite their finals hopes.

West Coast have been left to lick their wounds and ponder the win they let slip, which would have catapulted the Eagles a game clear on top of the ladder.

Both teams now have a week off due to the bye to restock before attacking the second half of the season.

Votes

3) Josh Drummond (Brisbane)

2) Jack Redden (Brisbane)

1) Josh Green (Brisbane)

GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Drummond 3, Polkinghorne 3, Green 3, Rich, Zorko, Brown, Bewick, Polec, Merrett, Cornelius
West Coast: Priddis 3, Cox 2, Hurn 2, Masten, Swift, Selwood, Darling, Schofield, Lynch, Hill, Hams

BEST
Brisbane Lions: Drummond, Redden, Green, Rich, Polkinghorne, Zorko, Raines
West Coast: Priddis, Masten, Gaff, Schofield, MacKenzie, Swift

INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: TBC
West Coast: TBC

SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Ashton Hams replaced Patrick McGinnity at three-quarter time
Brisbane Lions: Josh Green replaced Aaron Cornelius at three-quarter time

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Nicholls, Armstrong, Ryan

Official crowd: 15,546 at the Gabba