Hungry Lions maul Geelong in statement win, rise to third

Brisbane’s gun forwards have fired to deliver the Lions a massive 44-point AFL win over Geelong at the Gabba.

Joe Daniher kicked four goals for the Lions on Thursday night while Charlie Cameron booted three, including a third-quarter effort after a high-flying mark, as Brisbane moved to third on the ladder with the 13.16 (94) to 7.8 (50) win.

Charlie Cameron celebrates a goal for the Lions. Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The star duo were ably supported by ex-Cat Lincoln McCarthy and Eric Hipwood, who kicked two goals each.

The victory is Brisbane’s sixth straight win at the Gabba and only their second win over the Cats since 2013 while defeat ends Geelong’s six-game winning run.

It wasn’t just Brisbane’s frontline firing, with Daniel Rich, captain Dayne Zorko and Mitch Robinson among several influential players for the home team.

Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale also played his part, despite an injury scare in the first quarter where he appeared to hurt a shoulder following a tackle by Jeremy Cameron but quickly returned to play out the game.

In contrast Geelong’s big three forwards – Cameron, Tom Hawkins and Gary Rohan – had a tough night at the office as they were smothered by Brisbane’s defence.

All three failed to kick a goal until the fourth quarter when Hawkins and Rohan broke their ducks, with Isaac Smith and Zach Tuohy the only multiple goalkickers for the visitors.

Cats’ captain Joel Selwood (13 disposals) also had a quiet night by his lofty standards.

The Lions burst out of the blocks in the opening term, dismantling the Cats through the middle of the field with some superlative transition football.

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The hosts kicked four unanswered goals – and missed a couple of gettable shots – while holding the Cats goalless in the opening.

Their lead had extended to 36 points by the time the Cats got their first goal of the match through Tuohy.

Patrick Dangerfield and Smith added two more as the Cats sparked a mini revival.

The aggression that marked the clash between these two sides in round two re-ignited in the second term with multiple skirmishes between players and 21 free-kicks handed out in the quarter.

Out of the chaos, the Lions regained ascendancy and took a 34-point lead into the main break.

That lead had extended to 43 points going into the final quarter, with Cameron’s mark of the year contender before his third goal the highlight.

From there the Lions eased home to their 10th win of the season heading into next weekend’s trip to South Australia to play Adelaide.

Geelong will host Essendon next weekend.