Shattered GWS Giants stars fight back tears in dressing rooms after Brisbane crushed their AFL premiership dream

GWS Giants stars were nearly reduced to tears in the dressing rooms after the Brisbane Lions came from behind to beat the Sydney side by just five points to keep their AFL season alive.

In a near-draw after their six-point loss in the qualifying final to Sydney, the Giants surrendered a 44-point lead to lose by five at Engie Stadium on Saturday.

Brisbane scored four goals without conceding in the third period before Joe Daniher scored the final two goals to secure the victory 15.15 (105) to 15.10 (100).

The players were very emotional after the match and during a TV interview with Josh Kelly they were seen embracing their loved ones in the sheds.

Giants star Aaron Cadman buried his head in partner Alexandra’s shoulder for several long moments, while Toby Bedford was also comforted by family members.

Coach Adam Kingsley admits the three-set exit is even more painful given his team had been practising a comeback scenario in preparation for Brisbane.

“The last quarter was basically the same as the Swans game,” Kingsley said.

‘If you put yourself in a position to win the game, then you should win the game.

The GWS Giants led for most of the match before being surprised by Brisbane

‘We discussed it during the week. The players knew what I was going to tell them at three-quarter time, because we had rehearsed it yesterday.

‘Unfortunately, our actions were not able to achieve the goal.

‘We’ve had these kinds of moments all year long, it’s not really a surprise.

‘We have had too many moments where the opponent took advantage of us and won games against us in a short period of time.

“It seems we haven’t learned that lesson yet.”

GWS spearhead Jesse Hogan briefly staved off the Lions’ challenge in the third quarter, setting up for substitute Xavier O’Halloran’s goal before firing home his fifth of the night.

But Brisbane kept pushing and the Giants, who were without midfielder Stephen Coniglio, were overwhelmed.

Coniglio was taken out of the match with a cheekbone injury after a collision with Brisbane defender Harris Andrews. GWS do not yet know the severity of the injury.

“We have to support (Hogan) a little bit, we know that,” Kingsley said.

The defeat was almost a carbon copy of GWS’s six-point loss in the qualifying final against Sydney

‘We have to stay proactive, execute the system as best as we can, stay aggressive, be aware of the opponent when they throw a little bit and go forward, stay safe and strong in the game and win the ball… We’re just not ready yet.

‘We’re not yet a Premier League brand and we have to keep working on that.

“It’s obviously tough at the moment. It was tough last week, but that’s the reality.

‘We need to get our game up to Premier League level, but we’re not there yet.’