Career highs and nervous moments: How Lions’ rookies answered finals baptism

Lost in the glow of Dayne Zorko’s heroics in Brisbane’s elimination final triumph of Carlton was the near career-best exploits of Darcy Wilmot.

So emphatic was his performance, it led Lions’ co-captain Harris Andrews to declare the emerging talent ready to announce himself as one of the side’s most crucial men in their premiership dreams.

The 20-year-old has become a staple of the Lions’ backline, playing every game in the past two seasons and growing in stature with each outing.

Against a Blues forward line who, even without Charlie Curnow, have become one of the AFL’s most lethal attacking units, Wilmot showed no fear.

His seven inside-50s on Saturday night was his best return at the top level, heaping pressure on his rival defence.

But it has been his willingness to get scrappy – highlighted by his seven contested possessions – which garnered Andrews’ praise and belief against a vengeful Giants line-up, he would emerge as a key figure.

“Motty’s been fantastic, his ability to just clean the loose ball up at the back of stoppage is sensational,” Andrews said.

“We know this week against the Giants they’ve got some really dangerous small forwards, so Zorks and Darcy are going to have to be right on their toes ready to go.

“Clearly they’ve got a really dangerous forward line – Jesse Hogan’s been in unbelievable form – and we’ll go to work this week to try and work out a good plan.”

There is every chance Wilmot’s involvement will need to increase further against Greater Western Sydney, with fellow defender Jack Payne in doubt to overcome a knee injury suffered in the 28-point triumph.

Darragh Joyce looms as the likely replacement, after he produced 12 marks and 21 disposals in Brisbane’s VFL semi-final win over Williamstown.

But while Wilmot has shown his poise in sudden death circumstances, his fellow developing prospects displayed both moments of both brilliance and nerves.

Will Ashcroft probed the midfield in tandem with Hugh McCluggage and Lachie Neale to great effect, relying on his speed and hand-balling game to generate go-forward.

Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris were aggressive and enthusiastic when the momentum was on their side, however as Carlton threatened a comeback with five-straight goals, some anxious signs emerged.

Lohmann shanked a set shot short and wide, and squandered an assist in a relatively empty square, while Morris hit the post from close range – a kick which would have ended the Blues’ crusade.

But the pair shook it off, avenging those missteps to kick crucial fourth-quarter goals.

It was only last month Brisbane’s forthcoming semi-final rivals punished them for not capitalising on their early chances, and such mistakes are unlikely to be forgiven.

But Andrews denied there was ever any panic in the group, and the club’s young brigade would be better equipped come Saturday night.

“Those young boys did a fantastic job ... I thought they all adjusted beautifully,” Andrews said.

“Everyone has those little moments, don’t they? I’ve mucked up a kick here and there, and the pressure of finals is there, but I feel like those boys responded really well.

“They’ll learn from those little moments as we all will, and I’m sure this week gone by will hold them in good stead for the weeks going forward.

“Reflecting on that game [against the Giants], we had our opportunities early in the game, and we probably didn’t connect as well inside 50, and maybe a bit of accuracy that day hurt us.

“To their credit, they just kept coming ... but we’ll take some really good learnings from that.”