Brisbane beats Port to jump into the AFL top eight

Brisbane’s Eric Hipwood has scored five goals in a record 79 points against Port Adelaide to move the Lions into the AFL’s top eight.

The Lions scored a dozen straight goals in their highest ever scoreline against Port to win 23.14 (152) to 10.13 (73) at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Orchestrated by midfielders Lachie Neale and Josh Dunkley, the Lions’ third straight win lifts them up to eighth ahead of Sunday’s matches.

Port, whose third consecutive defeat is the biggest ever against the Lions, came within six points early in the second quarter.

But powered by Dunkley, who had 20 disposals and six tackles in an eye-catching first half, the visitors scored the next seven goals in a stunning 21-minute burst until half-time.

The attack included two majors each for Hipwood, Logan Martin and ruckman Oscar McInerney as Brisbane took a 45-point lead at half-time, 12.8 to 5.5.

The Lions continued in top gear after the break, scoring another five consecutive goals and breaking the 100-point mark just nine minutes into the third term.

When Hipwood converted his fifth major – his side’s twelfth in a row – midway through the quarter, the Lions had a commanding 77-point lead.

The prolific Dunkley finished with 32 possessions, while midfield mates Neale (37 touches, 10 touches), Dayne Zorko (25 disposals) and Zac Bailey (26, one goal) also flourished.

McInerney scored a career-high three goals – sharing the hitouts with Port’s recalled ruck Jordon Sweet 30-32, but the big Lion collected eight clearances in his influential performance.

Hipwood, who scored six goals against the Western Bulldogs two games ago, enjoyed the attack alongside Joe Daniher (three goals), Morris and Cam Rayner (two goals, 20 disposals), while Hugh McCluggage and Bruce Reville also scored two goals each.

Port, who lost goalscorer Willie Rioli (calf) prior to the match, folded meekly when the Lions attacked and were unable to score a goal for around 45 minutes.

Vice-captain Zak Butters (35 touches, eight possessions) and captain Connor Rozee (28 possessions) found few effective allies in the Power’s fourth defeat in seven games.

Striker Mitch Georgiades scored three goals as Port crashed to an unwanted record: their previous heaviest defeat to the Lions was by 69 points in 2006.