Carlton vs Brisbane: A tale of two teams, and a dream run that came to an end

When the final siren sounded at the Gabba on Saturday night, there were two very different emotions on display. For the Brisbane Lions, it was elation. They had just defeated Carlton by 28 points to book a spot in the semi-finals. For the Blues, it was heartbreak. Their season was over, and they had been comprehensively outplayed by a better team.

It was a disappointing end to what had been a promising season for Carlton. They had surprised many by finishing in the top four, and they had shown glimpses of their potential throughout the year. But on the big stage, they were simply outclassed by a Lions team that was firing on all cylinders.

The Lions were dominant from the outset. They kicked the first five goals of the game, and they never looked back. Carlton fought back bravely in the second half, but they could never quite bridge the gap. The Lions' defense was too strong, and their attack was too potent.

The win was a just reward for the Lions, who have been one of the most consistent teams in the competition all season. They have a talented group of players, and they are well-coached by Chris Fagan. They will be a dangerous team in the finals, and they will be confident of making a deep run into September.

For Carlton, the disappointment of defeat will be tempered by the knowledge that they have made significant progress this season. They have a young and talented team, and they will be back stronger next year. But for now, they must lick their wounds and reflect on what could have been.
And so, the Carlton vs Brisbane elimination final will go down in history as a game of two halves. For the Lions, it was a night to remember. For the Blues, it was a night to forget.

But both teams can take pride in the fact that they gave it their all. And that's what sport is all about.