Joe Daniher's Late Heroics Sink GWS Giants in a Dramatic Semi-Final
What a night of football it was at Engie Stadium! The Brisbane Lions have staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent AFL history, overcoming a significant deficit to clinch a place in the preliminary finals with a nail-biting five-point win over the Greater Western Sydney Giants. The final score read 15.15 (105) to 15.10 (100), and it was a game that will be remembered for its breathtaking finish and Joe Daniher’s decisive impact.
The contest looked all but over as the Lions trailed by 31 points at the beginning of the final term. The Giants were flying high, with their playmaker Toby Greene and forward Jesse Hogan driving them forward. But as the game wore on, the Lions found their second wind. They seized the momentum and, over the last quarter, scored the final six goals of the match. Daniher was the standout performer, proving to be the Giants' undoing with two crucial goals in the dying minutes.
It was a dramatic turn of events when Daniher converted a set shot from a tough angle, thanks to a controversial free kick awarded for insufficient intent by Sam Taylor to keep the ball in play. With the deficit reduced to a single point, Daniher struck again just moments later. This time, he outmarked his opponent and slotted the ball through the posts, giving Brisbane the lead for the first time since early in the first term.
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Throughout the match, the Giants had looked in control. Their dominance was underscored by Hogan’s impressive five-goal haul and Greene’s three majors, complemented by key contributions from Kieren Briggs and Tom Green. Despite their efforts, GWS fell victim to a familiar pattern—losing their way in the final stages of a game. For the second consecutive week, they allowed their opponents to overrun them in the closing moments, thus missing out on a chance to advance further in the finals.
Brisbane’s fightback was nothing short of extraordinary. After a lackluster start, they began to chip away at the Giants' lead, driven by key performances from Charlie Cameron and Kai Lohmann. Cameron, in particular, reached a milestone with his 400th career goal, adding crucial points during the comeback.
The final quarter was a rollercoaster of emotions, with GWS desperately trying to hold on. Their hopes were briefly buoyed by a goal from Toby Greene, but crucial errors and missed opportunities cost them dearly. A pivotal moment came when Brent Daniels opted for a soccer attempt at goal instead of taking a straightforward set shot, resulting in a behind when a goal was crucially needed.
Daniher’s late surge was a testament to his ability to deliver under pressure. His two final-quarter goals were the decisive blows in a game that saw Brisbane claw back from the brink of elimination. Lions coach Chris Fagan praised Daniher’s composure, noting how he rose to the occasion when his team needed him most.
In the end, the Brisbane Lions’ incredible comeback was a showcase of resilience and determination. They will now face Geelong in the preliminary final, while the Giants will have to reflect on what might have been after their season ended in such heart-wrenching fashion.
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