Remarkably, Lions could make AFL finals

The coach was sacked 12 days ago, there’s a boardroom challenge and on Sunday they nearly blew a 57-point lead.

But remarkably, Brisbane could be one almighty upset win away from making the AFL finals.

The Lions improved from 13th to 10th on Sunday when they held on grimly at the `Gabba to beat the improving Western Bulldogs by seven points.

The 15.10 (100) to 13.15 (93) win puts the Lions level on points with ninth-placed Carlton, who have a much better percentage.

Ninth looms as the new eighth for this year’s finals, with widespread speculation that the AFL Commission is about to strip Essendon (currently sixth) of their premiership points.

If that goes ahead, next weekend’s results take on huge significance.

Should Carlton lose to Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium next weekend and Brisbane somehow beat Geelong at Simonds Stadium, the Lions take eighth and play in an elimination final.

Brisbane will need a repeat of their round-13 miracle, when they stormed back from 52 points down in the third term to beat the Cats.

That was the start of a run where the Lions have won seven out of 10 games.

But it was not enough to save Michael Voss, who was told earlier this month that Brisbane would not offer him a new contract.

Since that stunning news, it has emerged that three-time premiership coach Leigh Matthews is on a ticket running against current chairman Angus Johnson.

Of course, Geelong have also lost only once since the last time they played Brisbane, having dramatically improved their defensive play.

They again showed their finals preparations are on track with a 44-point win on Saturday night over defending premiers Sydney.

Regardless of what else happens next weekend, Richmond will play in their first finals series since 2001.

They have next Saturday’s likely “dead rubber” against Essendon.

Sunday’s 121-point win over Greater Western Sydney was the biggest winning margin for the Tigers since 1996.

Richmond and Giants players formed a guard of honour for outgoing GWS coach Kevin Sheedy after the 25.13 (163) to 6.6 (42) result at Skoda Stadium.

St Kilda scored their fourth win for the season on Sunday, beating Gold Coast by 46 points at Etihad Stadium.

Saints veteran Lenny Hayes has confirmed he will continue next season, but Stephen Milne confirmed his upcoming retirement after the 17.14 (116) to 10.10 (70) win.

Milne will join fellow Saints Justin Koschitzke and Jason Blake in ending their playing careers next weekend.

On Saturday night, Essendon scored an emotional six-point win over arch-rivals Carlton at the MCG.

The Blues were kicking themselves for inaccuracy after having nine more scoring shots than the Bombers.

Hawthorn secured a home qualifying final by coming back to beat North Melbourne by 14 points, in yet another tight loss for the Kangaroos.

Fremantle destroyed Port Adelaide by 74 points to again show they are a real premiership threat.

Adelaide thrashed Melbourne by 68 points and Collingwood opened the round on Friday night with a regulation 62-point win over West Coast.