Brisbane's stuttering 2024 campaign has continued at Manuka Oval, thrashed by a surging GIANTS outfit by 54 points on Thursday night.
The 2023 Grand Finalists fell to their fifth - and their biggest - loss of the year, conceding a run of nine unanswered goals after hitting the front in the second quarter as the GIANTS cruised to a 17.11 (113) to 8.11 (59) victory.
It was the perfect response from the premiership-favourite GIANTS after last weekend's loss to Carlton, with their running game slicing up the Lions when they took over the contest.
Canberra local Tom Green put on another clinic on his home turf, racking up 36 touches, seven clearances and a goal to help his side continue their surge towards the top of the table.
It was a second consecutive lethargic performance from Brisbane, having failed to handle rainy conditions in a 26-point loss against Geelong last weekend.
Lions forward Kai Lohmann snapped truly at the 19-minute mark of the second term to put his side ahead 42-39, with Brisbane appearing to have weathered an early storm and got back on track.
But the GIANTS had other ideas, generating momentum out of their defensive 50 and making the Lions look slow on their way to nine straight goals and a match-winning lead.
Irishman Callum Brown was in fine touch with three sweetly hit set-shot goals, with fellow forward Jake Riccardi also cashing in with a trio of majors.
Livewire debutant Darcy Jones lit up the Canberra crowd with a first game to remember, slotting a brilliant running goal in the first term on the back of his electric pace, before finding another late in the piece.
The GIANTS were missing captain Toby Greene (suspended), key back Sam Taylor (concussion) and star midfielder Stephen Coniglio (knee), but still cruised to their sixth win of the season.
Brisbane got two first-quarter goals from Charlie Cameron to stick with the fast-starting Giants, and even hit the front early in the second when fellow forward Cam Rayner found a pair of his own.
The Lions missed ruckman Oscar McInerney (concussion), but did hold their own in the middle, however they simply couldn't contain the the GIANTS' run when it got firing.
Brisbane returns home for the QClash against the Gold Coast next weekend, quickly losing touch with the pack as they look to push towards another finals run.
Callum Ah Chee was subbed out at half-time with a hamstring injury.
Darcy's Debut To Remember
It's been a long time coming, but it was a debut to remember for GIANTS youngster Darcy Jones. Sporting an eye-catching charcoal and orange helmet, Jones kicked two slick goals in a memorable first outing for the GIANTS. His first goal on the run from just inside the 50m in the opening term was outstanding, before he slotted his second with a set shot in the final quarter. Taken in the first round in the 2022 AFL Draft, the West Australian's first season was cruelled by injury after tearing his his anterior cruciate ligament in his maiden appearance for the GIANTS' VFL side. The speedy forward has averaged 17 disposals, six score involvements and four clearances in his three VFL games this season before finally earning the call up this week to replace suspended skipper Toby Greene.
GIANTS 4.3 8.4 13.6 17.11 (113)
BRISBANE 2.4 6.8 6.10 8.11 (59)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Brown 3, Riccardi 3, Jones 2, Perryman 2, Thomas 2, Cadman, Green, Hogan, Kelly, O'Halloran
Brisbane: Cameron 2, Rayner 2, Fletcher, Fort, Lohmann, McCarthy
BEST
GIANTS: Green, Callaghan, Kelly, Whitfield, Brown
Brisbane: Dunkley, McCluggage, Neale, Berry, Lester
INJURIES
GIANTS: Nil
Brisbane: Ah Chee (hamstring)
SUBSTITUTES
GIANTS: Brent Daniels (unused)
Brisbane: James Tunstill (replaced Cal Ah Chee at half-time)
Crowd: 13,080 at Manuka Oval
