Cripps in hot water as Blues fall to Lions

Carlton star Patrick Cripps faces a nervous wait for the match review officer’s findings as the Blues’ AFL finals hopes took a hit with a 33-point loss to Brisbane.

Cripps is in hot water after a heavy bump on Callum Ah Chee in the second quarter as the Lions rebounded from last weekend’s loss to Richmond to secure a 17.12 (114) to 12.9 (81) win at the Gabba.

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The Blues’ captain left his feet in a marking contest with Ah Chee, collecting the Lions’ wingman high in the process.

Lions’ medical staff attended to the stricken Ah Chee on the field before he was taken from the ground and subbed out with concussion.

Having been unable to score a goal until that point, the incident sparked the Blues into life as they kicked three straight majors.

But it was a burst that came after a dominant first half by the home team, who took a 35-point lead into the main break having kicked four unanswered goals in the opening term.

Brisbane stretched that lead to 58 points during the third quarter before Carlton came home with a wet sail.

Zac Bailey was one of Brisbane’s best against the Blues. Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Charlie Curnow’s two goals sparked a six-goal run at the start of the final quarter as the visitors’ reduced the margin to 15 points with three minutes to play.

The charge would’ve had Lions’ nerves jangling after they surrendered a 42-point lead against the Tigers but three quickfire goals in the dying minutes secured a much-needed win for the fifth-placed team.

Zac Bailey, subbed out in the Tigers’ defeat, kicked four goals for the home team while Daniel McStay also slotted four.

Lions’ small forward Charlie Cameron, who had a running battle with Blues’ 150-gamer Adam Saad for most of the afternoon, kicked two goals.

Brisbane skipper Dayne Zorko put in one of his most influential displays of the season with 22 disposals, a goal and nine score involvements while Lachie Neale (32 disposals, nine clearances, 10 score involvements) was also key.

Brandon Starcevich and Daniel Rich returned to the Lions’ team from injury to make telling impacts while Oscar McInerney dominated the ruck.

Charlie Curnow kicked two final quarter goals for the Blues, as did Zac Fisher and Jesse Motlop. Defender Jacob Weitering played well in keeping Joe Daniher quiet and Sam Docherty (28 disposals, seven marks) was also impressive.

As well as Ah Chee, the Lions lost key defender Marcus Adams in the final term after a heavy knock to his ribs in a marking contest, while Carlton’s Jack Martin was subbed off with calf tightness late in the match.

Seventh-placed Carlton, who are chasing a first finals berth since 2013, face Melbourne and Collingwood in their last two home-and-away fixtures, while Brisbane take on St Kilda and the Demons.