The Brisbane Lions’ social media team is drawing criticism for a “classless” post after their heart-stopping preliminary final win over Hawthorn.
The Lions beat the Hawks by nine points at the MCG on Saturday night in what is being described as one of the greatest VFL/AFL games of all time to progress through to their fourth consecutive grand final.
They had to get almost everything right in the dying stages to come away with a famous victory and, after coughing up a 28-point lead to be headed before fighting back, they did just that.
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But for everything the two-time reigning premiers got right on the field, they’re under fire for a “poor misread” off it.
Shortly after the final siren sounded on Saturday, the Lions posted a meme video of a young boy falling off his bike with the caption: “Hokfall”.
The one-word caption was an obvious play on the word ‘Hokball’, which was the viral word used — mostly last year — to describe Hawks coach Sam Mitchell’s game plan.
The Lions have since deleted the post on X and Instagram but, at the time of writing, had left it up on TikTok.
The Agenda Setters’ Craig Hutchison said it was a bad look.
“No doubt a digital staffer attempt at humour. But this is so classless,” he said.
“After a heroic battle — a game for the ages — this is a poor misread, and lacks respect for a titanic battle between two great clubs.”
Others weighed in on the post in its comments section and opinion was divided.
“Haha admin not holding back,” one said.
“Brutal. But I like it,” another added.
“Nah, this isn’t it,” a third said.
“Savage — love it!” someone else said.
On the field, Brisbane will now face Fremantle for a shot at a premiership three-peat after surviving an almighty last-quarter fightback from Hawthorn to win the all-time classic.
A contentious holding-the-ball decision against Hawks defender Jarman Impey gave Hugh McCluggage a free kick and he kicked the match-deciding goal with 18 seconds left.
Brisbane then won the centre bounce and Kai Lohmann kicked another goal on the siren to seal a nine-point win, 20.11 (131) to 19.8 (122), in front of 97,835 fans at the MCG on Saturday.
“Has there ever been a more exciting game of AFL football than that one?” Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
“If I was a spectator, I’d just be rapt by that.
“Hawthorn are unlucky, no team deserved to lose tonight.
“We’re just lucky enough that we were in front when the siren went and we get to fight another day.”
