Sport
24 September, 2024
Kai Lohmann and Brisbane Lions to do battle in grand final after epic preliminary final victory
Kai Lohmann will be stepping out on the field of his dreams this Saturday afternoon after the Brisbane Lions prevailed in an epic preliminary final clash with Geelong last Saturday night.
The Lions’ 14.11 (95) to 12.13 (85) victory helped set up their second consecutive grand final appearance, where they will be playing the Sydney Swans.
For Lohmann, he has the chance to create more magical Maryborough history.
For the first time in eight years, a footballer from Maryborough will be taking to the big stage, with Jake Stringer’s famous 2016 success with the Western Bulldogs the last time a Maryborough local took to the field.
Lohmann was not overawed in front of 93,066 at the MCG in the preliminary final.
After 19 minutes, Lohmann helped get the Lions up and running with a fortuitous goal assist to Charlie Cameron — his shot at goal sailing wide left, before Cameron marked and kicked the opening goal — one of three for the quarter as Brisbane took a nine-point lead.
Lohmann set the MCG alight in the second term with a spectacular mark, climbing over the top of Geelong opponent Zach Guthrie on the wing to create one of the big highlights of the afternoon.
However, after a dogfight to open up the second term, Geelong put the jets on and risked ruining Lohmann’s grand final dream, kicking seven goals — many of them spectacular — to break the game open and lead by 19 points at half time.
A goal to Patrick Dangerfield early in the third term made the margin 25 points — at this stage, night-mares from Brisbane’s inglorious 2020 and 2022 preliminary final losses to Geelong looked set to haunt them.
But Brisbane would soon come back, and Lohmann played his part.
With usual ruckman Oscar McInerney sidelined due to a dislocated shoulder, Lions coach Chris Fagan would rejig his entire forward line, bringing usual full-forward Joe Daniher into the ruck, while moving Lohmann closer to goal.
This brought the likes of higher half-forwards Callum Ah Chee and Charlie Cameron into the game, who responded with the next two goals, before Lohmann popped up with his most important moment of the game.
A great tackle from Logan Morris close to goal forced a turnover, which Lohmann sharked to kick a goal to reduce the margin to eight points.
Another of Lohmann’s key score involvements came when he combined with Brisbane teammate Brandon Starcevich to keep the ball inbounds on the Melbourne Cricket Club-side wing, setting up Cam Rayner for another goal.
By three-quarter-time, Brisbane had hit the front by two points.
In a tense final term, the Lions kicked away with the first two goals, and Lohmann had an opportunity to extend the margin to 17 points.
But he missed from close range, and Geelong got back into the game with two Oliver Henry goals.
Brisbane responded when it mattered most, however, with Ah Chee and Rayner goaling to seal a memorable victory.
Lohmann finished with 16 disposals and 1.3, as well as three tackles, two inside 50s and two clearances in a handy afternoon’s work.
Lohmann also had the opportunity to speak with the Channel Seven panel after the game, where he earned praise for his towering mark from commentary legend Bruce McAvaney.
Speaking to Channel Seven, Lohmann was over the moon.
“That’s the best thing I’ve ever experienced… I thought I cost them there late, missing a sitter, but I’ll practice that through the week,” he said.
From a Maryborough perspective, it’s the stuff of dreams to see Lohmann play in a grand final, according to grandmother Debbie Murray.
“The support around the town — people stop me. I don’t barrack for Brisbane, but I do barrack for Kai. The messages from Saturday have been phenomenal,” she said.
Debbie sat back and admired how much Lohmann has been able to grow this season, especially once his spot was able to open up after an untimely knee injury to goalsneak Lincoln McCarthy.
“That opened the door. It hasn’t been easy — he’s had to fight for his position, and he remained true to his own game and how he plays, very energetic and always a team player,” she said.
“He makes things happen. There’s a couple of times where I look and he’s nowhere near the ball, but the next thing you know, he’s right there.”
Debbie also revealed the behind-the-scenes which allowed Lohmann to stay in Brisbane after he was courted by multiple Victorian teams — with Brisbane’s opponent last Saturday, Geelong, ironically keenest of all.
“At the time, when he did hurt himself and he was a bit down and thinking about going back to a Victorian side, we said to him that we are behind you 100 percent. But the culture is so much better up there — he can go to the shops, he can be a normal everyday bloke if he wants to, but in Victoria, footballers are targeted a bit more,” she said.
“When he did break his collarbone, the support he got from the players themselves made him realise he was part of a family. He knew he had his family down here, but he also had one up in Brisbane. (Senior coach) Chris Fagan is one-of-a-kind.”
Should Lohmann and the Lions succeed on Saturday, it would make it a double dose of joy for the family this season, with brother Jake also getting to enjoy the spoils of a premiership with the Morningside Panthers in the Queensland AFL competition.
“It’s meant a lot to both of them to be out there at Brisbane together. Jake is Kai’s biggest supporter, and Kai is Jake’s biggest supporter,” Debbie said.
“Luke Hodge spoke about it in an interview as well about how special it would be.
“They love him and he loves them, and welcomed them with open arms. He did play a couple of VFL games, but it is also hard to crack into that team too.”
As a known celebrator, Debbie couldn’t explain what was behind Lohmann’s celebrations, but she did add that it has always been a trait over the years.
“I have no idea what they mean… but I think it’s always been over the years, even as a little kid, he’d get the ball, kick a goal and celebrate. I think it’s the energy level, but what you see is what you get, but he is also a very loving, caring boy,” she said.
According to Debbie, Lohmann was flooded with over 2000 messages of support after the Lions’ win last Saturday, and offered an insight into how he deals with the support.
“Sometimes he just has to step back and say no media. I don’t think they read a lot of social media. As grandparents, it’s pretty harsh sometimes reading things that you know isn’t true. But I imagine they have people in place to help them with that particular thing,” she said.
Overall, however, the chance for Lohmann to create more Maryborough history excites Debbie the most.
“It’s where it all started for him. Yes, we’re a small country town, but if you want to pursue your dreams and live your dreams, you just aim for the best. It will mean so much to so many people in Maryborough, but to us, we’re super proud,” she said.