36 SPORT MONDAY AUGUST 26 2019 AFL FINALS Dew sees Suns shine for future Triumphant Tigers seal top four slot campaigns ED JACKSON Now Brisbane’s turn THEIR 2019 AFL season has ended with a wooden spoon and 18 straight defeats but in Gabba finals clash Gold Coast coach is adamant that does not tell MICHAEL RAMSEY the real story of where the FINALS WEEK ONE Suns are at. RICHMOND are one step SEPTEMBER 5: WEST COAST ’s nine- closer to the AFL premiership EAGLES v ESSENDON goal haul to secure the Cole- after locking away a top-four BOMBERS at Optus Stadium man Medal was the highlight finish with a 27-point win over Perth 6.10pm AWST as GWS claimed a 72-point win Brisbane at the MCG. SEPTEMBER 6: GEELONG over the Suns at Metricon Sta- Yesterday’s 12.10 (82) to 8.7 CATS v COLLINGWOOD MCG dium on Saturday in front of (55) victory means the Tigers 7.20pm just 7610 fans. will finish third on the ladder SEPTEMBER 7: GWS GIANTS While a season which start- and face the second-placed v at ed with three wins from the Lions again, but this time at the Giants Stadium first four matches ended in a Gabba in a mouth-watering 2.50pm. v whimper, Dew remained hope- qualifying-final rematch. RICHMOND TIGERS at The ful the building blocks for fu- Minor premiers Geelong will Gabba Brisbane 6.55pm ture success were put in place. host Collingwood at the MCG “A lot of the guys have had in the other qualifying final. career-best years – some may Richmond dominated early the second time this season argue comparing to what – but on yesterday to lead by 26 and in front of the biggest a lot of them we’re comparing points at halftime, but were crowd for a Brisbane game – to their second or third years,” made to fight tooth and nail in including Fitzroy and the Dew said. an electric third quarter during Bears – ’s cubs had “They’re starting to get which the Lions pared back the always been at risk of being going ... Darcy Macpherson’s margin to seven points. overawed on the big stage. gone from a forward pocket But as they’ve so often been And that looked to be the NEAFL player to an AFL play- able to do, the Tigers found an- case early when Darcy Gardin- er. Jack (Lukosius) and Ben other gear and wrestled the er’s dropped chest mark led to (King), obviously their first game back on to their terms to Riewoldt’s fourth major. year, and Charlie Ballard is a prevail in front of 76,995 fans. With the Tigers near flaw- second-year player. was the hero less by foot, the Lions eventu- “There’s so much there on for the hosts, booting four first- ally tidied up their ball use and an individual level, now the quarter goals in a domination managed to stem the bleeding work’s ahead of us to get that of Lions opponent Marcus in the second term. synergy, make sure we can keep Adams. Skipper was that group playing as much (21 disposals, inspirational in a sizzling third football together as possible. two goals) and quarter, booting two classy “We knew at the start of the (30 touches) were typically roving goals in the opening year the win-loss may not be a busy in the midfield, while minutes and laying several true reflection of where we’re strengthened his crunching tackles as the Lions at. All our job is – the club and case for a maiden All-Austra- took the game on and played the players – is understanding lian berth with an outstanding with dare. where have we made our gains backline performance. Charlie Cameron had been and how that’s going to hold us front- held to just one disposal to Jack Riewoldt takes a mark during the in good stead.” runner was su- halftime under the watch of yesterday’s AFL match between the perb for the Lions, gathering 25 but, when he fi- Richmond Tigers and Brisbane Lions touches to halftime and finish- nally broke through for his first Picture: MICHAEL DODGE/AAP ing with a career-high 51. major, the deficit was just Attendance Playing at the MCG for just seven points. record set THE footy crowds keep on streaming through the gates at Crows brushed aside as Dogs storm into finals venues across the country this year. JASON PHELAN Hawthorn were in the mix for but it was the Dogs who looked looked old and slow was hard The AFL has broken its at- the final spot in the top eight set for that sort of margin. to argue with. tendance record for the third- THE Western Bulldogs have heading into round 23, but Luke Bontempelli (31 possessions The Bulldogs led by 29 straight year. stormed into the AFL finals, Beveridge’s men showed they and a goal) helped set the tone points at the first break and 28 The crowd at yesterday’s with star- thoroughly deserve to return to with a hand in both of the at halftime after top-four deciding blockbuster ring in an emphatic 34-point September action for the first Dogs’ opening goals, kicked by showed some signs of life. at the MCG between the Rich- win over Adelaide in Ballarat. time since their 2016 flag. , who finished with The margin blew out to 55 mond Tigers and Brisbane The seemingly endless fi- The Dogs, struggling in 14th five majors. points before a late surge, Tay- Lions took the season total to nals permutations boiled down with a 4-7 record at the half- (36) and Josh lor Walker booting the third of 6,894,771. to the Dogs needing a win at way point of the season, Dunkley (33) were also promi- his five goals to see his side trail The record was set prior to Mars Stadium yesterday. romped into seventh spot with nent in the impressive display. by 41 at three-quarter time. last night’s twilight game at And they were rarely troub- a stirring 8-3 run that set up an ’s Crows were 40 The lead grew to a game- between Port led after a blistering opening in away elimination final at GWS. points down before they’d high 59 points before Brodie Adelaide and Fremantle. front of 9560 fans, cruising to The Hawks’ upset win over even looked like scoring. Smith kicked a goal-of-the- It tops last year’s regular an 18.13 (121) to 13.9 (87) score- West Coast meant the Crows The criticism of Adelaide in year contender from the season total of 6,894,770, while line that flattered the Crows. needed to win by around 16 a tumultuous season has been boundary as the Crows kicked the 2017 figure was 6,732,601. Adelaide, Port Adelaide and goals to sneak into the eight, that they have too often three in a row.

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