How the Lions claimed their moments to overcome a dominant Freo
In a game that Fremantle dominated on the stats sheet, Chris Fagan's men found a way to dominate in the moments.
The 2026 grand final proved that football is a marathon, not a sprint. Winning the ultimate prize required more than just dominating the game for extended periods. It demanded capitalizing on crucial moments to overcome a dominant opponent. This lesson resonated with newly crowned three-time premiers Brisbane Lions, who triumphed over the seemingly invincible Fremantle Dockers.
Fremantle led from the start, demonstrating their superiority in several facets. They controlled possession, scored more goals, and had the advantage of key players like Patrick Voss isolating Brisbane's defense. Yet, Brisbane's resilience shone through, as they slowly but surely clawed their way back.
The turning point occurred in the third quarter when Fremantle's lead ballooned by 14 points within a span of just five minutes. This massive surge, combined with the Lions effectively silencing Caleb Serong's disruptive influence, helped Brisbane regain momentum.
Crucial to Brisbane's victory was their improved ability to neutralize Fremantle's defense, particularly with Alex Pearce sidelined due to an Achilles injury. The Lions started to find success converting set shots, a stark contrast to their struggles earlier in the season. Their strategy of playing smaller, thus avoiding Pearce's leadership, paid off in spades.
Thus, the ultimate culmination of the season's twists and turns led to Brisbane's victory, illustrating the importance of seizing fleeting moments to overcome a seemingly insurmountable lead.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
