3 minute read
A snapshot of the first AFL semi-final between the Brisbane Lions and the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba on Saturday night.
SNAPSHOT OF THE FIRST AFL SEMI-FINAL
* Result: Western Bulldogs 11.13 (79) bt Brisbane Lions 11.12 (78) at the Gabba
* Key moment: After Brisbane's Zac Bailey levelled the scores with a minute to go, Bulldogs ruckman Tim English received a free kick from the centre bounce and banged a kick inside-50 with Laitham Vandermeer able to get a kick through for the winning behind.
* Key stat: The Lions have only lost three home-and-away games at the Gabba in the past three seasons, unfortunately for Chris Fagan's men they have been defeated in four finals on their home deck to endure their second straight-sets exit in three years.
* Injuries: Brought in to replace the concussed Dan McStay, tall Jack Payne suffered a nasty knock to his head after copping a hit from flying teammate Linc McCarthy. Payne was subbed out for the experienced Ryan Lester. The Lions were a man down for the entire second-half when Jarrod Berry was ruled out with concussion. But the Bulldogs had their own issues with livewire forward Cody Weightman subbed out after he was concussed just before halftime. The biggest hit of all came to Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli, who looked to have suffered a knee injury in the dying minutes.
* What's next: It's season over for the Lions, while the Bulldogs will meet Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval next Saturday night for a spot in the grand final in Perth on September 25 against the winner of Melbourne or Geelong.
