Joe Daniher broke the hearts of his former side, with his six goals leading Brisbane to a 42-point victory over Essendon – and remarkable sixth straight win.
Daniher was the difference between the two sides, as he led Brisbane to a 12.15 (87) to 6.9 (45) win at the Gabba on Saturday night.
The key forward had the Lions’ first four goals of the game, and then produced a moment of ruck brilliance to add his fifth.
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His sixth goal came late to “drive a stake” into the Bombers’ hearts.
It was a tough fourth-straight loss for the Bombers who battled dutifully while undermanned in the first half.
They managed to take a 10-point lead into the main break, but kicked just two goals from that point as the Lions slammed on 10 of their own.
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER MATCH REPORT
Essendon made a late change with Massimo D’Ambrosio coming into the starting 22 for Alwyn Davey Jnr, who was named as the starting sub. Noah Answerth started as the sub for Brisbane.
And it was the Bombers who brought the heat in the opening term as the visitors were able to lock the ball in their forward half.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti laid a brilliant tackle to force the Dayne Zorko turnover, and Archie Perkins pounced.
Andy McGrath was the surprise match up for Lions star Charlie Cameron, and he held his own in the opening term.
But a bullet pass to Joe Daniher ensured it was Brisbane who levelled scores.
Cameron had the chance to extend the Lions’ lead when he found himself matched up on Massimo D’Ambrosio – and not McGrath.
But he sprayed his set shot in stunning scenes.
“He’s missed an absolute sitter!” commentator Luke Darcy lamented.
By quarter time, it was Brisbane leading 14-9.
The Lions were their own worst enemy in the second term as they blew repeat opportunities to kick their third goal.
Kicking five behinds for the term, down the other end it was Essendon cashing in on the “chaos ball”.
Jake Stringer, Kyle Langford and Jye Menzie all converted their chances to open up a 10-point lead at the main break.
It was Joe Daniher who came out firing in the third term, kicking two quick goals – to take him to four against his former side.
And the match only got worse for Essendon when Dylan Shiel left the ground limping after rolling his ankle in the centre of the Gabba.
While Shiel was able to return to the match, it was Brisbane still firing as Zac Bailey, Oscar McInerney and Eric Hipwood all added their firsts for the night.
A late scramble saw Langford at least get Essendon on the board in the third, but by the final change it was the Lions leading 53-36.
Sam Weideman thought Essendon had the first goal of the final term, not realising the touched call had been made as the ball reached the goal line.
And when Daniher kicked his fifth goal – by simply outmuscling Sam Draper in a forward stoppage contest and snapped truly, the Lions were home.
Late goals to Cam Rayner and Lincoln McCarthy gave the Lions a percentage boost as the margin blew out to 42 points at full time.
THE 3-2-1 …
3. BIG JOE THE ‘DIFFERENCE’ AS HE DRIVES STAKE INTO FORMER SIDE
Joe Daniher came under the microscope early in the season along with Eric Hipwood, but Daniher for his part has responded with aplomb.
That’s two bags of at least five goals in the last five rounds, with his six-goal haul against Essendon comfortably his best against his former side.
He was helped by significant supply out of the middle, but it makes his form in recent weeks no less impressive.
“He’s been the difference here against his old side tonight,” commentator Luke Darcy praised.
“He’s had an enormous night Joe Daniher,” Alister Nicholson added.
“Once, much-loved by the Bombers faithful, driving a stake into their hearts now.
“He’s has found some really good form.
“After his performance against the Blues, he was rightly questioned, but he’s been delivering big time.”
Brisbane great Leigh Matthews said the fact Daniher was able to find six goals on a low-scoring night made his outing even more impressive.
A move into the second ruck position seems to have benefited Daniher greatly, with his form spike coinciding with the start of the Lions’ six-match winning streak.
He even managed to outbody Bombers ruck Sam Draper and snap truly from the forward half stoppage for his fifth.
It was the full Joe Daniher package on Saturday night, with a brilliant mark early followed by a great showing in front of goals.
The Bombers held the fort as best they could in the early stages, but eventually the absence of Jordan Ridley exacted a toll on the side’s back six.
Lion Lachie Neale was full of praise for his teammate post-match.
“He’s building into the season really well. I think he copped a bit of heat … but he’s had his best six or seven weeks at the club I reckon,” he said.
“He hasn’t kicked bags every week – he’s kicked a couple – but his contest work up front and bringing the ball to ground has been first class.”
Next week’s Q-Clash will be a fascinating matchup, with the Suns’ back six in good touch.
2. BOMBERS DON’T LOSE FANS WITH TOUGH SHOWING
It was no secret Essendon headed north with an undermanned backline.
Already without Jayden Laverde, who is still at least a month away with a shoulder injury, the Bombers backline woes only got worse this week.
Jordan Ridley entered concussion protocols after the off-the-ball hit from Port star Junior Rioli last weekend.
Jake Kelly also showed delayed concussion symptoms and was ruled out as well, leaving the Bombers three big backmen short.
And against a Lions outfit where their weapons are tall in attack, it was always going to be a tough ask.
But the Bombers held firm for much of the match, aside from Joe Daniher’s six goals, down back.
Commentator Luke Darcy said the side “didn’t lose any fans” from their tough showing, as they restricted one of the competition’s fastest scoring teams to just 12 goals – with five of those coming in the final term.
Kaine Baldwin impressed, while Andy McGrath did an outstanding job locking down the dangerous Charlie Cameron.
The only time Cameron got near the footy was when he had a new opponent.
“I thought McGrath’s first half was very good – 11 disposals to 3, he held him to one point,” Fox Footy’s Brad Johnson praised.
“McGrath had over 200m gained in his game, being able to get off – that’s courageous in itself. You’re playing on Charlie Cameron, you don’t want to go too far from him as an opponent because of how dangerous he is on turnover.”
“It was a brave game,” commentator Dermott Brereton added.
Brereton said the fact coach Brad Scott was able to string together a “makeshift” backline was impressive.
“Scotty, this year for Essendon’s defence, has gone ‘you will play on that man, you will play on that one’. Individually, beat your men and he leaves them out there,” he praised.
“He’s given them an extra tonight (in defence).
“Kaine Baldwin, first game of the year, he’s a key forward in the making – he’s playing on Eric Hipwood.
“Not only is not doing the craft he’s been schooled in, he’s playing down back on a damn good player.
“It’s a makeshift backline so (Scott) has drifted one down there to give them some help.”
While the margin blew out in the final minutes, Essendon didn’t lose any respect for what they were able to cobble together against a genuine premiership threat.
1. ACCURACY AN ISSUE
The Lions could have had Essendon almost buried by half time, but instead they headed into the main change staring down a 10-point deficit.
Brisbane had all the run for two thirds of the second term but just couldn’t put it on the scoreboard.
Joe Daniher, Eric Hipwood, Dayne Zorko were all guilty of spraying chances in front of goal.
Darcy Willmot and Lincoln McCarthy were the other two offenders as the Lions went 0.5 for the term – although McCarthy’s was a poster from the tight angle on the boundary.
“A night of frustration for Brisbane,” commentator Luke Darcy said.
“Accuracy is becoming an issue.”
The Lions could only manage five behinds from 15 inside 50s for the second term.
And those sorts of stats could prove costly if they are to repeat in those big September matches.
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