First quarter Sydney opened the game slightly stronger than Brisbane. No goals were scored by either team in the first ten minutes until
Will Hayward kicked the first for Sydney, and a
Tom Papley goal followed soon after. Brisbane then kicked two quick goals, both from
Kai Lohmann in the 16th and 17th minutes, to take a lead they did not relinquish for the remainder of the match. At this point, Sydney had enjoyed a territory advantage with nine inside-50s to five, but Brisbane had marked and converted more effectively in their forward line. Three more goals followed, with
Hugh McCluggage kicking a goal for the Lions in the 24th minute followed by goals from Sydney's
James Rowbottom and Brisbane's
Charlie Cameron in the final four minutes of the quarter. Brisbane 4.3 (27) led Sydney 3.1 (19) by eight points at quarter time. Although scores were close, Brisbane had more control of general play, and had missed several very gettable shots at goal. Sydney was unable to stop Brisbane's short-passing ball movement game, with Sydney having less than 35% time in possession and Brisbane dominating the uncontested marks and handball receives statistics.
Hugh McCluggage, with nine disposals and a goal, was the best on ground for the quarter; and forward
Callum Ah Chee, although he had not scored, had been involved in setting up most of Brisbane's scoring chances. Ah Chee kicked the fifth in the 26th minute from a mark 15m from goal; and
Logan Morris kicked the sixth in the 29th minute from a mark 20m from goal. Sydney at one stage went ten minutes without an inside-50, and at half time, Brisbane 11.7 (73) led Sydney 4.3 (27) by a commanding 46 points. Through the twenty-minute purple patch to end the quarter, Brisbane dominated all statistical indicators, including: disposals 55–26; contested possessions 17–8; inside-50s 13–3; and clearances 7–2.
Will Ashcroft had six disposals during this period through the midfield, while many of Sydney's midfield leaders had none.
Final quarter With Brisbane's premiership victory assured, the final quarter was played at a more leisurely pace. The Swans kicked four consolation goals, three coming from veteran midfielder
Luke Parker in his last game for Sydney, and the other coming from
Chad Warner. Brisbane kicked two final quarter goals: Lohmann at the 17th minute, and Daniher, in the final game before his retirement, in the 27th minute. The final margin was 60 points, Brisbane 18.12 (120) defeating Sydney 9.6 (60).
Overall Brisbane dominated several key statistical indicators, including disposals (385–305) and tackles (64–45). Brisbane outmarked Sydney 158–88 and was able to control the uncontested game and prevent Sydney from scoring heavily from turnover, an area where Sydney was strongest in the league throughout the year. Although inside-50s were relatively even (Brisbane led 51–49), Brisbane's quality of entries was significantly higher, and Brisbane dominated the marks inside-50 statistic 22–9 across the whole game, after leading 14–2 in the decisive first half. Midfielder
Lachie Neale finished second with 35 disposals, including 18 contested, at 86% efficiency, and nine clearances. Forwards
Callum Ah Chee (four goals, eleven score involvements) and
Kai Lohmann (four goals, one goal assist) finished third and fourth respectively. Other Brisbane players considered among the best were forward and back-up ruck
Joe Daniher (two goals, four behinds), Few Sydney players were considered to have played good games, and only midfielders
James Rowbottom (18 disposals, one goal) and
Robbie Fox (21 disposals, one goal) received a grade higher than 7/10 when their performances were assessed by three major sportswriters.
Medal and cup presenters 2018 premiership player and former
West Coast Eagles forward
Josh Kennedy was the AFL premiership cup ambassador; he delivered the cup to Brisbane's premiership cup ambassador,
Leigh Matthews, who coached the club to its
three-peat from 2001 to 2003. Sydney had nominated a former club captain and 200-game player with the Swans,
Stuart Maxfield. Four-time premiership coach
David Parkin presented the
Jock McHale Medal to winning coach
Chris Fagan; the
Norm Smith Medal was presented by three-time
Geelong premiership player and
2007 winner
Steve Johnson; and
1963 Geelong premiership captain
Fred Wooller presented the inaugural Ron Barassi Medals to winning co-captains
Lachie Neale and
Harris Andrews. == Teams ==