Preliminary Final
	V
Brisbane 21.12 (138)		Port Adelaide 12.10 (82)

Port Adelaide has fallen at the final hurdle, going down to reigning premiers, the Brisbane Lions by 56 points in their preliminary final at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews paid tribute to the minor premiers, who fought it out before being overwhelmed late in the contest.

“We were playing a really good team, so to get away and win by eight or nine goals… we had to be pleased with that," Matthews said.

With outstanding 21 year-old Des Headland confirming his status as one of the hottest prospects in the game with another match-winning performance, the Lions had too many weapons for the Power to combat, winning 21.12 (138) to 12.10 (82).

After an even first quarter saw Brisbane in front by just a single point at the first break, the Lions established a match-winning lead with a six goal to three second term, setting up a 20-point margin at half-time.

When Power midfielder Josh Carr reduced the margin to just two points at the seven minute mark of the quarter, Brisbane exploded, slamming on four goals in a seven-minute burst.

Alastair Lynch was a great target at full-forward all night, kicking five goals for the match on Stephen Paxman, including two in the second term.

Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams was furious with experienced defender Damien Hardwick handing Michael Voss his first goal of the night, giving away a 50-metre penalty after the Brisbane skipper marked 40 metres out from goal on an acute angle.

Hardwick missed Voss by a considerable distance when he attempted to handball back the ball to allow him to take his kick.

It came when Brisbane were in the midst of their match-winning run at the 12 minute mark of the second quarter and Hardwick spent the remainder of the term on the bench.

After Brisbane extended their lead to 32 points midway through the third quarter, on the back of a Headland goal, the Power, with Stuart Dew providing the spark up forward, reduced the margin back to 18 points, before the Lions again kicked away just before three-quarter time, leading once more by 32 at the final change.

Dew kicked the first goal of the final term, eight minutes in, but the Lions dominated from then on, booting a further five goals to send the Magpies an ominous warning ahead of next Saturday’s big one.

Aside from Dew, who finished with four goals, the Power struggled to find an effective forward. Centre half-forward Warren Tredrea was their only other multiple goalkicker with two, sharing the honours in his dual with fellow All-Australian Justin Leppitsch.

Port showed glimpses of the form that saw them finish the home and away season on top of the ladder when they moved the ball quickly, but it did not happen often enough.

At the start of the match, the Lions jumped out of the blocks with two goals in two minutes through Lynch and Darryl White.

But Port settled soon after and fought their way back into the contest in what was a terrific opening quarter.

With Brett Montgomery prominent across half-back and captain Matthew Primus imposing in the ruck and giving the likes of Josh Francou first use of the ball, the Power kicked five of the next seven goals, including the opening major of the second term.

That goal - a long bomb from Shaun Burgoyne - put the Power in front for the first time of match, but it turned out to be the only time, as the Lions began their match-winning burst.

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