McKenna and Morris lead Lions to big win over Pies

AFL

Conor McKenna scored four goals at the MCG as the Lions beat Collingwood in a big win. (Getty Images: Quinn Rooney)

The Brisbane Lions beat Collingwood, helped by Conor McKenna and Logan Morris, moving them closer to third place.

The Lions entered the last round with a 2.2% lead over Hawthorn.

The Lions won by 63 points, 25.9 (159) to 15.6 (96), giving them a 4.4% lead over their rivals.

Hawthorn will play West Coast in Perth on Sunday and must win by about 100 points to overtake the Lions.

Logan Morris kicked eight goals and Conor McKenna kicked four, including a soccer‑style goal in the first half and a blind snap from 45 metres in the third quarter.

Coach Chris Fagan said his team would have taken a top‑four spot if offered at the start of the year.

Logan Morris led the Lions’ attack against Collingwood at the MCG. (Getty Images: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos)

Collingwood coach Craig McRae said the game was hard to watch at times because of the lack of defence – the Pies kicked seven goals in a wide‑open final term while the Lions kicked nine.

McRae was clear about what he saw from the Lions.

"Clearly we played the best team in the competition," he said.

"They have gears we have not seen this year; they can finish you quickly."

Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury left the game with a knee bursa injury.

Read the live blog for a recap of the action.

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By Andrew McGarry

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By Andrew McGarry

That was a different kind of night at the MCG.

At times I lost power in my fingers trying to keep up with the goals in the final quarter.

Even with weak defence, Logan Morris’s eight goals and two goal‑of‑the‑year chances from Conor McKenna (and four from Oscar Allen) showed the Lions’ firepower as they head to the finals.

For the Pies, it is over – they move to the wildcard round next week.

We will be back tomorrow for four more games: Carlton vs Fremantle, Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs, Geelong vs Richmond and Crows vs GWS.

I’m Andrew McGarry, thanks for joining us tonight and have a good night.

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By Andrew McGarry

Collingwood coach Craig McRae spoke to the media after the game and was blunt about the Lions’ standard.

"Clearly we played the best team in the competition," he said.

"They have gears we have not seen this year; they can finish you quickly."

McRae said it was hard to watch at times because the Pies (and sometimes the Lions) did not want to get injured.

He noted the final quarter when Collingwood kicked seven goals and Brisbane kicked nine.

"It was difficult as a coach, thinking all week not to make it to next week," he added.

He said the team would not review the game and would move quickly to the next match‑play situation.

By Andrew McGarry

Brisbane sealed a top‑four spot with a 63‑point win over Collingwood, who now worry about Scott Pendlebury’s knee before the wildcard round.

Logan Morris kicked eight goals as the Lions dominated, winning 25.9 (153) to 15.6 (96) in front of 66,846 fans at the MCG on Friday.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae kept all his stars playing despite a wildcard game ahead, but may regret it after Pendlebury’s knee bursa injury forced him out in the second quarter.

Brisbane (64 points) sit third and will stay there unless Hawthorn (60) beats West Coast, while Melbourne (60) is too far behind on percentage.

Coach Chris Fagan was not impressed when Brisbane, leading by 75 points midway through the final quarter, gave up six straight goals – a costly hit to their percentage – before steadying.

The third‑placed team will avoid playing minor premiers Fremantle in Perth and instead meet a weakened Sydney side at the SCG.

The Swans are missing stars Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey, plus Riley Bice and James Jordon, who were suspended for the rest of the season for breaching club standards.

Those five players are linked to a police investigation into sexual‑assault allegations at East Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel on Monday morning.

Brisbane will have a week off before the finals.

Collingwood hope Pendlebury is fit for the wildcard match against either the Western Bulldogs or Carlton.

The 38‑year‑old left the Collingwood rooms in the second quarter and was ruled out before halftime.

Magpie defender Dan Houston had his left hand examined late in the game.

Brisbane defender Ty Gallop is likely to face a match‑review for a dangerous tackle on Charlie West, though the Magpie forward stayed on the field.

It was Gallop’s first game back after a three‑game suspension.

Lions veteran Dayne Zorko could also be reviewed for a high hit on Jack Crisp while trying to smother a fourth‑quarter handball.

Morris was unstoppable in the first half, kicking four goals, and kept his pressure after the break.

Irishman Conor McKenna kicked four goals, including two spectacular strikes.

McKenna smothered the ball and then toe‑poked a freak goal from a tight angle.

He followed that with a no‑look snap from almost 50 metres near the boundary.

Recruit Oscar Allen added four goals, Eric Hipwood three, and Lachie Neale (16 clearances, 35 disposals) and Josh Dunkley (27 disposals) shone.

Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey (32 disposals, six clearances, two goals) was excellent.

Nick Daicos (26 disposals) and Darcy Cameron left the field late, while Sam Swadling (32 possessions) was strong and Angus Anderson and Josh West each kicked three goals.

At halftime Brisbane led by 22 points, with Morris having four goals.

The Lions surged after the break and were ahead by three‑quarter time.

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By Andrew McGarry

Lions coach Chris Fagan told Fox Footy in the rooms.

When asked if they would have taken top‑four at the start of the year, he answered:

"Absolutely, we would have taken it."

"It’s always hard for an interstate team to win enough to finish top. Fremantle have done it this year, credit to them.

We started 6‑6, recovered well … and have given ourselves another chance, which is all you can ask for."

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By Andrew McGarry

So there we go, the Lions now lead Hawthorn by one game and 4.4%.

The Hawks will face the Eagles on Sunday night, needing about a 100‑point win to take third place and a first final against Sydney.

This game and the final round are crucial in deciding the premiership race.

Depending on who finishes third, that team becomes the early favourite to face Fremantle in the grand final. I know, #EarlyEarlyDays but still.

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By Andrew McGarry

Lachie Neale spoke to Channel Seven after the big win at the ‘G.

"We set ourselves up well. The last quarter was a bit average, but we think we can’t lose top‑four now," he said.

"Double chance – that’s the goal at the start of the year. It’s exciting for the club to have another shot at September and see how we go."

When asked how the Lions prepared, he replied:

"We’ve treated the last few weeks like finals since the Carlton loss, playing every game as if it were a final."

"We’ve treated them like finals and want to bring that intensity into September. Tonight was no different.

There was talk about who might rest, but they played probably their best side of the year, with experience and great players."

"We knew it would be a tough, contested game and felt all week we were ready for it."

Neale had 35 disposals and 16 clearances, showing he was ready.

It looks like the Lions will reset, taking a few days off before returning to the club on Wednesday or Thursday.

In the meantime they must wait for Sunday night to see their next opponent.

Key Event

By Andrew McGarry

That’s the end of the game, with a final margin of 63 points.

Charlie Cameron scored late, Zac Bailey added a goal at the siren, but Logan Morris and Conor McKenna were the stars.

Four amazing goals for McKenna and eight majors for Morris – unbelievable.

Hawthorn will need to win by close to 100 points to overtake the Lions for third, but overall it was a crazy game.

By Andrew McGarry

I give up.

The Lions move forward, the Pies miss a high ball, it falls to Logan Morris in the right forward pocket and he snaps it on the run for a goal.

That’s eight! Brisbane leads again by 51 points.

There are still three minutes left at the MCG!

By Andrew McGarry

It’s crazy – no one wants injury and the ball is bouncing around like a pinball on steroids.

Now Jordan De Goey scores for the Pies. Unreal.

By Andrew McGarry

All right, Chris Fagan is on the sideline and he is NOT happy.

The Lions are stung, then they hit back. The ball is inside 50, it hangs and Logan Morris snaps his sixth!

Correction! He now has seven!

The Lions forced a turnover inside 50 and after a series of passes it came to Morris again, who stepped around Josh Daicos.

What are we doing? Twelve goals in this quarter so far!

The Lions lead again by 51 points.

By Andrew McGarry

Have the Lions put the cue in the rack?

It’s too early, folks! The Pies are coming with a surge.

Sam Swadling and Harvey Harrison scored back‑to‑back goals, then Tim Membrey nailed a set shot – the margin is now 39 points!

Hawthorn would be excited here.

By Andrew McGarry

We’re almost halfway through the final term and the Pies are building a run!

A bit of chaos finds Angus Anderson, who kicks his third!

The lead is now 57 points and the percentage gap is back to just 4.3 points.

Can the home side keep the rally going?

By Andrew McGarry

The Pies try to close the gap, and Charlie West scores on the run off the side of the boot.

The lead is back to 63, but Nick Daicos and Darcy Cameron are on the bench, likely having been told to rest.

By Andrew McGarry

The Lions line up for the last, but Eric Hipwood misses an easier chance than the one he kicked a minute ago.

At the other end the Pies go inside 50 and Jordan De Goey gets a free for a hold – the Magpies fans cheer.

He kicks, and the lead is back to 69 points.

By Andrew McGarry

The Pies fans are frustrated and the frees keep coming for the Lions.

That one went to Eric Hipwood, who kicks a goal from the right side of 50.

He curls it home – his 300th AFL goal!

The lead is now 83 points and, like a certain former boyband, the score only goes one way.

By Andrew McGarry

It’s REALLY not Collingwood’s night.

The energy has left the Pies and the Lions are imposing their will.

They are getting repeat entries and a holding free gives Oscar Allen a chance.

He scores just inside the post for his fourth major, the lead is now 67 points and there is still a long way to go in the final term.

By Andrew McGarry

Here we go – it’s all Brisbane in the opening minute of the final term.

The Pies defend one attack, but the Lions keep it inside 50 and Oscar Allen snaps his third in the pocket.

The Lions lead by 55, then quickly 61, as they win a clearance and the ball is chipped to Logan Morris!

Morris kicks his fifth and Brisbane look like a happy team now.

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By Andrew McGarry

The siren sounds and it’s another big quarter for the Lions!

A late goal to Cam Rayner pushed Brisbane past 100 points, then a later goal to Charlie West made it six‑to‑two for the quarter.

The visitors lead by 49 points and the Pies are nowhere.

You suspect Craig McRae will rest some key players in the final term – this one is gone and they need to keep players for the wildcard round next week.

That’s a perfect scenario for Brisbane, who can push the lead higher as the Hawks watch from home, seeing their chance of third place fade.

By Andrew McGarry

The Lions’ eyes are like cash registers right now as they chase a big win.

Oscar Allen adds his second goal, the lead is nearly 50 points, and Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey is off after a knock in a contest – hopefully not serious.

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