Hollywood superstar Kevin Costner brought a touch of Hollywood glamour to the Gabba on Friday night as the Brisbane Lions held off a fierce late comeback from Carlton in a dramatic 11-point AFL thriller.
The Yellowstone and Dances With Wolves star was spotted watching from a corporate box as Brisbane survived a scare to win 14.16 (100) to 13.11 (89), with fans quick to notice the Oscar winner among the crowd.
Costner, who has been spending time in Queensland filming upcoming Amazon dramedy Honeymoon With Harry, appeared relaxed as he watched the reigning premiers almost cough up a massive lead under the Friday night lights.
The actor has become a regular sight around south-east Queensland in recent weeks while production ramps up on the film, which also stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Sarah Pidgeon.
Based on Bart Baker’s novel, Honeymoon With Harry follows hard-drinking widower Todd Cartwright, who is forced into an unlikely bond with his late fiancée’s father during a tropical getaway after her death before their wedding.
The film is being produced by Dan Fogelman, the creator of This Is Us, alongside directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, with scenes being shot across Brisbane, Teneriffe and the Whitsunday Islands.
Hollywood star Kevin Costner was a special guest at the Brisbane Lions versus Carlton Blues AFL match in Brisbane
Costner is in Queensland filming Amazon dramedy Honeymoon With Harry based on Bart Baker’s novel
But while Costner drew attention in the stands, the action on the field soon stole the spotlight.
Brisbane looked set for a comfortable percentage-boosting victory after completely dominating the opening half and blowing the Blues away with relentless midfield pressure and slick ball movement.
The Lions led by 49 points during the contest and appeared in total control before Carlton suddenly sprang to life after half-time.
The visitors, who had repeatedly faded late in games this season, flipped the script in stunning fashion as captain Patrick Cripps and star midfielder Sam Walsh began winning clearances and driving the ball forward.
Young gun Jagga Smith also helped lift the intensity around stoppages as Carlton surged back into the match.
Up forward, Harry McKay, Mitch McGovern and Will Hayward all kicked three goals as the Blues suddenly threatened one of the biggest comebacks of the AFL season.
Carlton closed within 10 points late in the final quarter and briefly had the Gabba crowd on edge before Brisbane steadied in the dying minutes.
The defeat left Carlton with a 1-8 record and extended the club’s losing streak to seven matches, intensifying scrutiny on coach Michael Voss.
Josh Dunkley of the Lions celebrates after the tense win at the Gabba in Brisbane on Friday
Despite being highly competitive, the loss heaps even more pressure on under-siege coach Michael Voss
‘We’ve put ourselves in positions in most games to win, but I’m sort of also sick of saying that,’ Voss said after the game.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Voss said the performance showed the Blues still had the ability to match it with the competition’s best teams.
‘Guys get some genuine confidence off what they’ve been able to do, but the next week’s a different challenge,’ he said.
‘We’ve got to use that momentum.
‘It shows you that we have the capacity in there to be able to finish off games really strongly.
‘There’s a model in there that definitely works and those sorts of results do say so, but it also says that we’re not doing it for long enough.’
Voss also pushed back on suggestions Friday night’s spirited comeback could help save his position at the club.
‘People will make it about your job, but the reality is, I’ll make it about something else,’ he said.
‘We’ve got to continue to build that real positive energy around the place, because there is a spirit within this group that keeps coming and but we’ve also got to learn how to win and how to execute more often.’
The Blues now face another crucial test against the Western Bulldogs next weekend as pressure continues to mount on the club following its disastrous start to the season.
