'Rookie mistake': Lions youngster misses chance to win it at the death
Brisbane rookie Cam Rayner had the opportunity to claim a thrilling victory for the Lions against North Melbourne, but only managed to claim a behind.
The 18-year-old went from hero to villain in his side’s three-point loss to the Kangaroos, after the horrendous miss
His Brisbane Lions teammates and coach Chris Fagan were quick to get around the youngster, as fans had mixed reactions over the young gun’s heartbreaking moment.
It was good to see Cam Rayner’s team mates and Fage’s get around him after the game. Valuable lessons for the youngster. The Lions look to have a very good list going forward. Exciting times ahead for Lions supporters. #AFLLionsNorth
— JakePeralta (@xJakexPeraltax) August 4, 2018
Feel for Cam Rayner, super talent who’ll learn from that. North get away with one and the finals hopes, slim as they are, remain alive #AFLLionsNorth
— Nick Boylan (@NickJBoylan) August 4, 2018
Cam Rayner went from hero to villain in the matter of minutes.
After kicking a clutch goal to put the Lions within four with two minutes left, he then wins a free 20 metres out with 30 seconds left.
Goes across the body and rushes the kick. A win goes begging. #AFLLionsNorth
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshMedia) August 4, 2018
Heartbreak for @brisbanelions. Should’ve stolen it at the end. Another missed opportunity for Cam Rayner to be the hero. He’ll learn so much from this season. A star in the making. Lions avg losing margin at Gabba this season is 10.75. Tough to beat at home #AFLLionsNorth
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottliebFOX) August 4, 2018
Get around Cam Rayner. A rookie mistake at the worst possible time
— Andrew Young (@andrewy181993) August 4, 2018
The vision of Chris Fagan with his arm around Cam Rayner post match makes me fall in love with @brisbanelions even more. Love what they’re building.
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_M_FOX) August 4, 2018
The Lions were 24 points down early in the last quarter but staged a dramatic comeback and looked ready to deliver a potentially fatal blow to North’s finals hopes.
They kicked the last three goals of the match and had the backing of a boisterous 18,395-strong crowd at the Gabba as they closed in.
Rayner had a chance to win it with about 30 seconds to go from a free kick on a slight angle.
But the 18-year-old rushed it, pushing it right and blowing what was a golden chance to win it for Brisbane.
The Kangaroos were left breathing a huge sigh of relief, with the win ensuring they remain right in the hunt for September action.
The 16.11 (107) to 16.8 (104) result is their sixth consecutive win over the Lions, a run of dominance that stretches four years.
They now sit in ninth position with only percentage keeping them out of the finals positions, although they still cannot afford a misstep in their last three matches.
North faces Western Bulldogs (home), Adelaide (away) and St Kilda (away) to complete the minor round – teams who are all out of finals contention.
Jack Ziebell starred with three goals and 26 possessions for the Kangaroos.
Dayne Zorko had a game-high 35 touches for the Lions – 15 of them contested – to go with nine clearances and two goals.
‘LEAVE THE GAME ALONE’: AFL fans react after Hawks-Dons thriller.
Brisbane were hot and cold.
They made a poor start to the match, conceding the first three goals, but reeled the margin back in and were five points ahead at quarter-time courtesy of a 55-metre roost from Rayner.
The Kangaroos kicked away in the second term, booting seven goals to three and leading by as much as 29 points at one stage.
A run of three unanswered majors to start the third quarter put the Lions back in front.
But again they fell away and the visitors were 11 points in front at the last change.
with AAP.