Lions use Wharfie Time as rallying call for three-peat

By Roger Vaughan 

Brisbane have come from nowhere to enter rare AFL air, turning “Wharfie Time” to their own advantage and winning an all-time great grand final.

The Lions went on a chaotic four-goal run in the last few minutes, winning by seven points and leaving Fremantle shattered.

The 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) triumph on Saturday at the MCG means Brisbane become only the second club in VFL/AFL history to achieve two premiership three-peats, after Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s.

The Dockers remain without a flag after 31 years in the league, and this is a brutal new chapter in their chequered history.

When Patrick Voss kicked his third goal 21 minutes into the last quarter, the Dockers were 17 points up and “Wharfie Time” – their crowd-rousing activation – was sounded.

But instead, in the space of seven minutes Charlie Cameron, Zac Bailey and Logan Morris (twice) kicked goals that morphed Flagmantle into Lions history.

“What was that, hey?,” Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said.

“That’s probably the most amazing three- or four-minute comeback I’ve ever seen.”

Fagan had not lost hope after Voss’s goal, but acknowledged the rubber band had been stretched tight.

“I just thought that might have been a bridge too far … this group has become this team that seems to need to get themselves into a dire situation, before they can actually produce their best.”

Fagan confirmed a media report that the Lions had discussed Wharfie Time on Friday.

When it was sounded, several Brisbane players said they used it as a cue for their unlikely comeback.

In the on-field presentation and again in his post-game media conference, Fagan praised Fremantle and said they deserved to win.

“They were better than us for longer periods … we’re fortuitous.”

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir spoke of his pride in the team and the total devastation at the loss.

“We’re devastated, there’s no sugar-coating it,” he said.

“Like I said to them after the game, I’ve never felt so disappointed.”

Longmuir also rejected Wharfie Time as a reason for the stunning turnaround.

“I don’t think that has any impact – did Charlie’s ‘Country Road’ (goal) celebration have any impact? Probably not,” Longmuir said of Brisbane’s Cameron.

Lachie Neale, who was booed throughout the game after his one-game ban was overturned on appeal, confirmed post-match he is leaving Brisbane.

The two-time Brownlow Medallist and three-time Brisbane premiership player is expected to end his career at Collingwood.

Now, amid plenty of speculation, Fagan must decide whether he will continue at Lions coach.

Through his decade in charge, Fagan has overseen the transformation of the Lions from a rabble to an all-conquering powerhouse.

He joins confidant Leigh Matthews (2001-03) as Brisbane’s two three-peat coaches.

Fagan has no interest in trying to emulate Collingwood great Jock McHale as the only VFL/AFL coaches to win four flags in a row and is uncertain about whether he continues.

That call will be made soon and Fagan said Saturday would be a “dream way to finish”.

“I don’t really want to be that guy who hangs around until we fail … for most coaches, unfortunately, it ends in tragedy,” he said.

It was a game of many plot twists, played in front of a 100,023-strong crowd that was just one short of the MCG’s AFL capacity.

Despite the soaking rain earlier in the day, and cold and grey conditions throughout the match, the game was Australian Rules at its best.

Fremantle captain Alex Pearce had to be helped from the field early in the third term with an Achilles injury and his departure was a massive blow for the Dockers.

Longmuir noted Pearce’s composure would have been particularly beneficial in the frenetic last few minutes.

The Dockers were left kicking themselves for so many missed shots on goal. They won the inside-50s and clearances, but could not capitalise for long enough.

Fremantle’s Shai Bolton became only the fifth player from the losing side to win the Norm Smith Medal as best afield.

Fagan noted that had the medal been decided on five minutes of play, Will Ashcroft would have won his third for how the Lions midfielder jump-started their late charge.

Co-captains Josh Dunkley and Harris Andrews were mighty for Brisbane, while Caleb Serong, Luke Jackson and Hayden Young shone as Fremantle’s dream ended in a nightmare.