Lions cause upset over undisciplined Blues

Dayne Zorko and Josh Green celebrate Brisbane's upset win over Carlton. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: Mark Calleja / News Corp Australia

BRISBANE gave its fans the brightest moment of tough season with a stunning seven-point victory over Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday night.

The 14.14 (98) to 13.13 (91) win was Brisbane's first on Australian soil for the season and gave hope to the 24,625 fans at the ground the second half of the season may be a lot better than the first.

But the win was soured somewhat by the return of Brisbane's ruck curse with a knee injury to Trent West.

Lions ruckman Trent West suffered a serious knee injury. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Corp Australia

And Brisbane fans may have felt some pain seeing the stellar performance of former Lion Sam Docherty who produced his best game for the Blues — collecting 30 possessions.

Save for a poor second quarter, Brisbane were the better side for much of the night.

Tom Rockliff worked hard to break an Andrew Carrazzo tag, Jack Redden was a monster at the stoppages and their forwards looked dangerous.

Daniel Merrett sparked the Lions with two early goals. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Corp Australia

Further salt was rubbed into Carlton's wounds by an Achilles injury to forward David Ellard.

He was replaced in the second quarter by starting sub Jeff Garlett who immediately booted two goals from two kicks to put the Blues in front for the first time.

And Chris Yarran was reported in the dying moments for throwing a punch at Pearce Hanley.

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With No. 1 ruckman Matthew Leuenberger out for another six weeks at least, Brisbane are hoping scans tomorrow clear West of any serious damage.

Ruck forward Stefan Martin has played two games in the NEAFL on the comeback from a back injury and wold be the Lions' only ruck option unless they were to elevate rookie Archie Smith.

Carlton stayed in the game because of their control at the stoppages and that came on the back of complete dominance by Blues ruckman Matthew Warnock who won an incredible 57 hit-outs.

David Ellard suffered an Achilles injury in the second quarter. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Corp Australia

Warnock was well ahead in the hit-outs when West was on the ground but at least he was providing a contest and limiting the giant Blues' ability to spoon feed his midfielders.

When West was subbed-off for first gamer Zac O'Brien the Lions led by three points and the clearance contest was basically even.

Brisbane produced their best quarter of the year in the opening term. They were winning the contested footy and had little trouble holding onto it against some lacklustre Carlton pressure.

Lions midfielder Tom Rockliff was inspirational with 36 disposals. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Corp Australia

The result was they were able to give their forwards more opportunities than they have received for the majority of the season.

Jonathan Brown provided an imposing target and even thrilled the Gabba crowd by winding back the clock to take a towering mark on the wing while livewire small forward Josh Green was a handful for the Blues defence.

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At the other end the Blues were unable to enter their forward fifty with any real method and their only goal of the quarter came from a free kick to David Ellard.

They were completely outplayed by the Lions who went into the first beak with a 28 point lead.

But there were a few worrying signs for coach Justin Leppitsch. Blues captain Marc Murphy ran around the Gabba without an opponent and although he wasn't overly damaging with his seven opening quarter touches, leaving a player of his class unattended has consequences.

Zorko booted two important goals. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Corp Australia

It proved to be the case as Murphy accumulated a game high 39 touches. The quarter time break brought a reversal of fortunes for both sides. Carlton began to dominate the game, collecting a whopping 103 disposals for the second quarter, and outscoring the Lions by six goals to two.

Brisbane struggled to get their hands on the ball and when they did, the surety that characterised their ball movement in the opening term had disappeared.

But Brisbane fought back and won the final quarter, the one that mattered.

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