Brisbane's leaky defence sets unwanted record before Grand Final
Brisbane allowed 122 points in their preliminary final win, the most any winning finalist has conceded in VFL/AFL history.
Brisbane beat Hawthorn 131 to 122 in a shootout at the MCG on Saturday, but the Lions' defensive vulnerability was impossible to hide. Brisbane conceded 122 points, a record for any preliminary finalist who went on to win.
This was just the eighth prelim in history where both teams kicked 100 or more. The bad news for Brisbane: of the seven previous times this happened, five of those winning teams then lost the Grand Final.
Only Essendon in 1993 and Melbourne in 1948 won both matches, and even the Demons needed a replay to claim the flag.
- Brisbane 131, Hawthorn 122
- Final score
- Essendon 1993 and Melbourne 1948
- Winning exceptions
Why it mattersBrisbane now faces the Grand Final with a defence that has proven porous under pressure, a vulnerability that can be fatal against a prepared opponent.
AustraliaBrisbane advances to next week's AFL Grand Final; if their defence crumbles again, the entire finals series narrative shifts.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 5 d ago
