Finals footy is back, and last night's game just proved that.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions that didn't end until the final siren, setting the tone for the next month.
There were 17 lead changes throughout the match, and the one that mattered most left Richmond players and fans heartbroken and the Brisbane's adrenaline pumping.
The AFL media sphere went into a frenzy again, sparking anger and happiness.
These emotions were only heightened by the Queensland Police who trolled Tigers fans after the loss.
Taskforce #PrideofBrisbane established to investigate a mauling at the Gabba last night, @QldAmbulance tasked to treat 22 Victorian men for broken dreams.
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) September 1, 2022
Everyone, from fans to players, concluded that the game was pretty epic.
WOOOWEEEEEE!!!!!!
— Mason Cox (@masonsixtencox) September 1, 2022
This game is officially nuts.
— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) September 1, 2022
Not a bad game to start the finals. #AFLLionsTigers
— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) September 1, 2022
Epic #AFLFinals
— Darren Camilleri⚫️⚪️⚫️🇦🇺✊🏾💉💉💉 (@camo2572) September 1, 2022
HOW GOOD IS FINALS FOOTY! 😳#AFL | #AFLFinals | #AFLLionsTigers https://t.co/CgYkQ0IJVY
— Azza (@azzajewell) September 1, 2022
What an epic shootout. The way AFL should be played #AFLFinals #lionsvtigers
— Anthony Savage (@antsavage88) September 1, 2022
No one can complain about last nights game from any club .
Both teams had chances to finish the game .How good is attacking finals footy
Afl so need to invest in better technology and different camera views for the arc tho @AFL
— Tyson Mitchem (@TysonMitchem9) September 1, 2022
As good as the online reactions are, it is pretty hard to go past a happy Chris Fagan.
Happy Fagan compilation 👍#AFLLionsTigers pic.twitter.com/qrhFyrapw0
— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) September 1, 2022
Love it when the Lions boys embrace Chris Fagan but at the same time feel like yelling GENTLE
— Kath Loughnan (@KathLoughnan) September 1, 2022
Lachie Neale had ice in his veins last night...
Still in awe at Lachie Neale’s game last night. He’s had some extraordinary performances for the Lions, but that was actually the best of the lot #AFLLionsTigers
— Oliver Caffrey (@ollycaffrey) September 2, 2022
Lachie Neale is a superhero. #AFLFinals
— Adam White (@White_Adam) September 1, 2022
Dimma when Lachie Neale had his 39th touch and 15th clearance #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/YlKbbOrxdm
— StephenAFLSmith (@StephenAFLSmith) September 1, 2022
Footy creators had a lot of fun using the animated content of Damien Hardwick.
Dimma: “URGE TO KILL RISING!” #AFLFinals #AFLTigersLions pic.twitter.com/468uboRXcG
— TYPEMedia (@TYPEMedia1) September 1, 2022
It seemingly couldn't get worse for Tigers fans after losing a nail-biting game, but it somehow did. The media and sound personnel at the Gabba failed to press the Lion's song and taunted heartbroken fans.
The only worse thing than being a Tigers fan right now is being the guy who was on the buttons at the Gabba 😬 pic.twitter.com/sYG09vYVgr
— Off the Bench (@OffTheBenchTeam) September 1, 2022
One job... #AFLLionsTigers pic.twitter.com/eaTny4y3be
— Josh Miller (@miltrain) September 1, 2022
Not sure you should be playing the Richmond theme song after the final siren when…
1. Brisbane win
2. It’s at the Gabba#AFLLionsTigers— Joel Smith (@Smithysays) September 1, 2022
The game wasn't without controversy, with a late score review overturning a Tom Lynch goal, leaving Tigers fans very eager to share their thoughts online.
The AFL saying they take ‘player reaction’ into account during a goal review is pure bush league nonsense.
— Steve Noble (@916_stevo) September 1, 2022
I'm just glad that we've got a goal review system that ensures a bad decision won't determine the result of a final#AFL
— The Protected Area (@backwiththeflyt) September 2, 2022
Despite this controversy, rival AFL fans around the country are seemingly happy when the Tigers lose; and it is even sweeter when it is a close game.
Salty Richmond fans makes for great content doesn’t it? #AFLFinals
— Ashley Browne (@hashbrowne) September 1, 2022
@footyfriends Tiger hearts are ripped in half #aflfinals #afl #brisbanelions #richmondfc #fyp #foryou
This is every member of the Tiger Army after the finals siren and how they feel waking up this morning.
@kaden.curtis #fyp #richmond #brisbane #tigers #lions #afl #finals words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling right now
One of four finals is complete, and there could not have been a better way to start off the round. If the rest of the Finals series is anything like last night, September will have the AFL world in a chokehold. Get ready for some more epic footy.
