Brandon Starcevich and Mitch Robinson also benefited from free kicks,while Zac Bailey scrambled a goal from nothing. McCluggage was also extremely unlucky to have a goal overturned on review when players and umpires alike had returned to the centre.
The review sucked away a little of the home side’s momentum,and the Saints hung in. Jack Higgins’ tireless running was rewarded with his first major,and Jade Gresham kept them within three points at the last change.
McCluggage broke the game open with a brilliant running goal from a chain he started from the wing. Still,St Kilda wouldn’t go away,Dan Butler hitting back to keep the Saints within a kick.
But,finally,they began to run out of legs,with the ball camped down the home side’s end as the last quarter drew on. Daniher kicked his third from the goal line,enough to open up a gap the Saints couldn’t bridge at the Gabba fortress.
Brisbane Lions2.4 3.6 7.10 10.18 (78)
St Kilda 2.1 5.6 7.7 8.9 (57)
Goals – Brisbane Lions: Daniher 3,McCarthy 2,Cameron,Starcevich,McCluggage,Bailey,Robinson.St Kilda: King 2,Crouch,Gresham,McKenzie,Higgins,Gresham,Butler.
Best – Brisbane Lions:McCluggage,Neale,Berry,Starcevich,Lyons,Coleman.St Kilda: Sinclair,Gresham,Ross,Crouch,Membrey,Battle.
Injuries – Brisbane Lions: Zorko (hamstring),Gardiner (back).St Kilda: Owens (concussion),McKenzie (concussion),Jones (hamstring).
Umpires: Stevic,Stephens,Williamson.