Brisbane coach Chris Fagan's almighty spray saves Lions from defeat after Carlton delivered a late fright

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan had a blunt message for his troops at three quarter time as Carlton nearly pulled off one of the most surprising comebacks of the season.

The game appeared over at half time as the Blues trailed by 38 points and looked as though they would meander to another humiliating defeat for the season.

But unlike every other game this season, they lifted in the second half, kicking 11 goals to Brisbane's six.

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The Lions had a touch too much class however, holding on narrowly in the 14.16. (100) to 13.11. (89) win.

In the aftermath, Brisbane star Logan Morris, who kicked four goals for the match, revealed the message Fagan unleashed on the troops after Carlton's six-goal third quarter.

"He told us it was a shithouse quarter. We had a bit of a spray and we came out and pound the rock and chipped away and got away with it in the end," Morris told Fox Footy.

Brisbane star Lachie Neale had a laugh after the game himself.

"We did a Carlton ourselves", he said.

Neale led the way with 33 disposals, winning the Robert Walls Medal for best player on the ground, a tribute to Australian football legend.

"They've frightened the daylights out of the Brisbane Lions," Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy.

"What could have been if they didn't start so poorly."

Carlton captain Patrick Cripps bounced back strongly from a run of poor form, finishing with a team-high 32 disposals and a goal.

Star key forward Harry McKay also had his best performance of the season, finding 21 disposals, taking 10 marks and kicking three goals while playing some time in the ruck.

In the end, it is another loss for Carlton. Their seventh in a row. The strong finish might have saved coach Michael Voss for a few more weeks, however.

For Brisbane meanwhile, they pick up the four points and move onto next week.