Charlie Cameron is mounting an early yet irresistible case to add a third All-Australian blazer to his glittering career, as the veteran continued to turn back the clock and revolutionise his game in a stunning 52-point take-down of Adelaide.
The Brisbane Lions championโs defensive pressure and classy touches were all on display in his sideโs 19.13 (127) to 11.9 (75) triumph of the Crows at the Gabba, with his willingness to push further up field sparking an onslaught of turnover success.
On the back of his exploits off the ball, Cameronโs forward pocket threat yielded four goals โ including his 450th career maximum โ and carries on a career renaissance after enduring a lacklustre 2025 season by his standards.
In the initial exchanges, a shootout beckoned between Cameron and Izak Rankine โ the latter producing two moments of magic to strike from the tightest of boundary angles.
That was until the third term, when despite Adelaide kicking the first โ and their only โ goal of the period through Brayden Cook, Cameron was quick to respond and trigger a procession of eight unanswered goals.
While Cameronโs 16 goals for the year belies his output this time last season (eight from seven games, which included a pair of three-goal hauls), it has been his desire to cover the ground in a greater capacity which has captured the eye โ adding 15 disposals, five tackles, 10 score involvements and three clearances to his numbers.
Adelaide were already struggling to contend with Brisbaneโs midfield โ Lachie Neale (42 disposals, four clearances, two goal assists) and Will Ashcroft (36 disposals, three clearances, two goal assists, a goal) in particular generating plenty of momentum and opportunities for the hosts.
The pairโs slick hand balling proved a nightmare to contain, and by adding a roaming Cameron into the mix, it was too much to handle, as Brisbaneโs seven-goal third-quarter blitz buried the visitors into the turf.
โCharlie was fantastic tonight, he was great last week too โ I couldnโt tell who was better out of him and Lachie Neale tonight,โ Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
โHe was so clean, heโs kicking nice and straight, and Iโm pleased for him that heโs playing that way.โ
The only poor signs for the Lions came late โ Oscar Allen taken from the field grabbing at his ankle.
Baileyโs stocks โ and price tag โ rises again
It took some time for Zac Bailey to build into this contest, but once he did, he ensured once he got Adelaide down they could not get back up.
The 26-year-old has become one of the AFLโs most wanted men as he comes off contract at seasonโs end, with Melbourne-based clubs reportedly ready to offer him well north of $1 million a year to pry him away from the reigning premiers.
Bailey has been solid without truly exploding thus far in 2026 to back up his maiden All-Australian honours of last year, but he issued a telling reminder of his calibre with a three-goal haul โ coming into his own in the second half especially.
He added 29 disposals and seven clearances to his afternoon, and his efforts will ensure the Lions will continue to face an uphill battle to retain his services.
Baileyโs presence took the pressure off Hugh McCluggage, with the co-captain kicking two goals but limited to 14 disposals as he continues to rebound from a calf strain lay-off.
Pressure game thrives
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan wanted to see greater defensive pressure exhibited across his squad, and they delivered that in spades.
In typical fashion, Josh Dunkley led that charge โ finishing with nine tackles, to go with 22 disposals and 15 handballs โ but his teammates were equally up to task.
One moment in particular summed up the reformed mentality in the second term, as Keidean Coleman and Darcy Wilmot combined to force a free kick for holding the ball. On the back of that turnover, the Lions marched back down field, with Conor McKenna kicking his second for the afternoon on a tight angle.
Ty Gallopโs move from the forwards to the backline unit continued to reap rewards โ before copping a knee to the back of the head which kept him motionless on the ground for a brief period โ at a time when Brisbane are still without Dayne Zorko (calf), Noah Answerth (concussion), Jack Payne (knee) and Darcy Gardiner (shoulder).
It was the exact response Fagan had been hoping for after last weekโs two-point defeat to the Demons, who expressed he was โexcitedโ by what he saw from Gallop.
โI just thought our all-round game was so much better. Last week we were fine with our contest and ball movement, but we werenโt good defensively,โ Fagan said.
โTonight we floated through the phases pretty well. Defence is attitude, and we let ourselves down in that department last week โฆ it was a good collective effortโ
Heartfelt moment amid Crowsโ carnage
While Adelaide will be left licking their wounds, one heartfelt moment did enough to tug at the emotions of the AFL world.
Crows captain Jordan Dawsonโs second quarter goal did more than give his side their sole lead of the match, but proved a rare chance to celebrate in what has been a painful period following the sudden passing of his brother, Jaryd.
Dawson missed Adelaideโs thrilling one-point win against St Kilda last week, and while his goal was ultimately in vain as the Lionsโ went on a tear, the sight of him in jubilation as he was embraced by teammates was one of the moments of the afternoon.
He was among the Crows best, getting on the scoreboard again in the final quarter and finishing with 28 touches, and was seen in tears post-game.
โI think it did take a lot of courage, itโs been a really tough week or so for him โ and I think itโs still there, post-game he was quite emotional. Itโs amazing what football can do; that 120 minutes to just go โ and he did, he dug in and went to work,โ Crows coach Matthew Nicks said.
โItโs a really tough place to be. Iโm really proud of the way he went about it tonight.โ
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