Brisbane Lions beat St Kilda by 20 points at the Gabba, holding on in a frenetic final quarter

So despite a hit-and-miss 2024 season so far, the Lions are not done yet by any manner of means.

For Chris Fagan and Brisbane, thingss are starting to come together. If they can put a run together, things could get interesting.

They'll be well worth watching in weeks to come.

We'll be back tomorrow with three games, starting with Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle, then Richmond vs Hawthorn at the MCG and Dusty Martin's 300th.

We'll wrap things up with the Crows and the Swans at Adelaide Oval.

Thanks for joining us tonight, we'll see you again tomorrow.

Joe Daniher has kicked five goals as Brisbane survived a frenetic late fightback from St Kilda for a 20-point AFL win at the Gabba.

The Lions led by 37 points at three-quarter time on Friday night but the margin was whittled down to seven points with nine minutes left as St Kilda came charging home.

A tough 50m penalty against St Kilda tagger Marcus Windhager for being over the mark proved to be the turning point, with a successful set shot from Logan Morris sparking a run of three quick goals to Brisbane.

Daniher's 50m set shot from the boundary was the sealer, with the 19.12 (126) to 16.10 (106) win lifting Brisbane to their second straight victory.

With 5.1 and 12 marks from 20 disposals, Daniher turned in a huge effort, while Dayne Zorko was also influential with 30 possessions.

Jack Higgins kicked five goals for St Kilda and Max King three, while Jack Sinclair racked up 32 disposals.

Lachie Neale was given hell in a hard tag by Windhager, but the star Brisbane midfielder fought through a tough first half to finish with 20 disposals and seven clearances.

Brisbane were smashed 13-1 in clearances in the opening term, with Neale restricted to just three possessions.

But it mattered little to the Lions, who kicked seven goals to two in a dominant display as their slick ball movement proved too hot to handle.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon delivered an almighty spray at quarter time, and it seemed to work as the Saints kicked 4.5 to 3.3 in the second term.

Higgins kicked three of those goals, helping close the margin to 23 points at the long break.

Neale received three free kicks in the second term alone after the umpires finally started to notice Windhager's often over-zealous methods.

Brisbane also had success tagging, with Jarrod Berry tallying 15 first-half disposals while nullifying Jack Steele (six possessions).

The third quarter was a topsy-turvy affair, but the Lions made the most of some ill discipline from St Kilda to snare three late goals and kick out to a 37-point lead.

But just as all hope seemed lost, St Kilda stormed back in the final term, kicking 6.1 from eight inside 50s at one stage to close the margin to single figures before the Lions kicked clear.

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The Saints tried to shut down the Lions by tagging Lachie Neale with Marcus Windhager.

The Lions star was quiet early, but he ended up the game with 20 disposals, seven clearances, six inside 50s and four score involvements. Not bad.

Overall, though, it made little difference, as Hugh McCluggage starred for the home side.

He racked up 26 touches, two goals, 11 marks, five inside 50s, a huge 12 score involvements and 535 metres gained. 

• Rd 15: Port Adelaide (A)

• Rd 16: Melbourne (H)

• Rd 17: Adelaide (H)

• Rd 18: West Coast (A)

• Rd 19: Sydney (H)

This suddenly looks like an intriguing run of games for the Lions.

If they keep scoring like they did tonight, few sides will be able to stick with them, and if they can get through their trip to Adelaide to face the Power next week, a vulnerable Demons side followed by the Crows and Eagles gives them big opportunities.

A run of wins will set up a blockbuster against the Swans in round 19, followed by the second Q-Clash of the season against the Suns.

St Kilda's 106 points tonight is the highest score they have kicked since round 20 last year against Hawthorn, when they finished with 122.

The Lions run the clock out, the crowd cheers, the home side has the win.

That's what they desperately needed, but there were moments tonight when Brisbane let the Saints in with a sniff, and a better side might have made them pay.

There were positives for the visitors, who went well beyond their average score of 70 points a game to crack the century tonight.

The big thing, though, is that the Lions are now half a game out of the eight - albeit with a number of clubs still to play this weekend.

Oh dear -= Liam Henry has limped off with a minute to play after being accidentally legged in the centre circle.

Let's hope it's just a cork or something. The Saints desperately need him on the park every week.

The air has gone out of this one now, but the Saints are still trying. They run it clear from half-back and the outstanding Liam Henry gets involved again, the ball goes long inside 50, it falls to Dan Butler on the line (possibly over) and he kicks it.

Well if Daniher didn't finish things, that did!

The strains of 'Country Road' ring out at the Gabba after the Lions control it and chip forward to Charlie Cameron, who takes his time and converts it from 50.

Lions will win, the lead is out to 26 points.

A vital passage of play there - the Saints went down the right wing, and sent the ball inside 50.

Max King had a look at a mark but couldn't hang on, and the Lions managed to clear the ball somehow.

Time is ticking, and at the other end Lachie Neale spears a pass to Joe Daniher  in the left forward pocket.

Joe runs the clock down ... and he boots a brilliant goal from the angle! That's the dagger, you think. The Lions lead by 20 points with under four to go.

This is getting VERY tense!

Every contest is fierce, players are getting tired, and mistakes are counting. This time the umpires pay a 50 for the Saints not going back to stand the mark, and Logan Morris kicks his third!

Back to 13 points but there is just under seven minutes left, and the Saints are still in this.

St Kilda are finishing over the top of the home side!

They are running at will and Liam Henry is everywhere. he runs around on the wing and chips forward with a chaos ball, then follows up and gets his chance inside 50.

He nails it!

The Saints have six goals to one in the final term - they trail by seven points!!!

What is happening?

St Kilda go forward again, the Lions give away a free for a block at an aerial contest, and Jack Higgins goes back and converts it from 50.

We are just under 10 minutes to go, and the Saints are within 13 points! Ladies and gentlemen, we have a live one here!

With the game not out of reach, St Kilda are playing a more attacking, expansive game than usual here.

They refuse to lie down and swing it forward again - it lands with Dan Butler, who boots one from 40 and the Saints have another!

There was the answer the crowd was looking for!

The Saints were trying to clear the ball out of defensive 50, but the Lions kept the ball bouncing around and Hugh McCluggage fed Kai Lohmann, who snapped his second and celebrated fiercely!

Brisbane takes a breath.

Hello there!

There are rumblings in the Gabba crowd here as the Saints get another!

There was a ball inside 50 that should have been a free for Oscar McInerney's infringement, but he can't hold the ball and it falls to Darcy Wilson who snaps St Kilda's third in a row!

Lions lead by 20 points! There is plenty of time here.

Is there the ghost of a chance here?

The Lions chip inboard but Liam Henry cuts it off, and he runs in and nails the kick.

That's two in a row, the lead is 25 points...

It's a struggle for the Saints to get clear chances here as the Lions try to shut things down.

But they go inside 50, and Rowan Marshall lobs a short kick in the air for Max King to reach up and grab it close to goal.

He kicks it, and the Saints trail by 31.

Can they go again?

Fair to say that St Kilda are missing the rebounding ability of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera tonight. Brad Hill is doing what he can, but the Lions are keeping their opponents under control.

The Saints need to hit the scoreboard here, and quickly, but can they get a run on?

As if to remind us exactly how this night has gone, the Lions take their last opportunity of the quarter, hoisting a high ball inside 50 for Joe Daniher to protect the space and take a clear mark.

He goes back and boots his fourth, and with one quarter to go, the Lions are suddenly up by 37 points and this one is in the home side's control.