Dynasty in tatters? Lions’ third-quarter crisis rears again in Dockers demolition

May 30, 2026 — 8:42pm

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Any hopes the Brisbane Lions had of emulating their famous triple-premiership side of the early 2000s are in tatters as the high-flying Fremantle compound their woes in a 15.13 (103) to 10.18 (78) Gabba demolition.

Revelations champion halfback Dayne Zorko would miss the next six weeks with a quad strain only worsened the two-time defending premiers’ predicament, as the Lions’ transition out of trouble gifted the Dockers an early ascendancy they never gave up.

Across the opening half, Brisbane were seemingly unable to clear from their own end with much penetration, and the ladder leaders only kept them in the contest by squandering a host of chances.

Come the third quarter, and Fremantle went on an absolute tear – kicking three goals in less than two minutes early in the term, as Jye Annis and Patrick Voss (four goals each for the match) made their presence felt in the forward line.

Consolation goals from Cody Curtin and Levi Ashcroft did little to bring the Gabba ground to their feet, with the initial Fremantle burst quick to trigger fears of a repeat of the 14-goal onslaught they were on the receiving end of against the Giants last week.

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© The Sydney Morning Herald