Merrett inspires big Lions win over GWS
Related coverage
A career-best seven-goal haul for Daniel Merrett. A 92-point AFL win. A three-game losing streak snapped.
There were plenty of reasons for the Brisbane Lions to start backslapping at the Gabba on Sunday.
But stony faced Lions coach Michael Voss kept their 19.18 (132) to 5.10 (40) thumping of depleted rookies Greater Western Sydney in front of 16,049 in perspective.
Voss was already feeling anxious after questions were raised about his long term job security following a horror run of nine wins in his last 47 games.
But his nerves would have been shot if reminded that the Lions had a shocking record against first year sides.
Unbelievably, Brisbane had lost to West Coast in 1987, Adelaide in 1991, Fremantle in 1995, Port Adelaide in 1997 and the Gold Coast last year.
However, Voss could not even admit to feeling relieved after Merrett’s remarkable five-goal opening quarter burst helped seal only their third win of the year.
Lions skipper Jonathan Brown kicked five majors.
“Not really. It was about getting the job done,” Voss said.
“We were a bit damned if you do, damned if you don’t – we were expected to come out here and win the game and healthily.
“It was about putting some things into place that we had just let go in recent weeks – mainly our defence.”
No wonder Voss was keeping a lid on things – the Lions’ victory marked their first this year against a side that had registered a win.
At least Merrett could manage a smile after easily eclipsing his previous best of three goals and finally answering the critics calling for him to return to his regular position at fullback.
“It was coming off the boot pretty well – I thought I would make the most of it,” said Merrett who had a career haul of 24 majors before the match.
The sight of carrot-topped Merrett getting a bagful wasn’t the only reason Giants coach Kevin Sheedy saw red.
“We had been really competitive, really hard at the 50-50 balls but we weren’t like that today,” said Sheedy, who just last week was ecstatic after an upset win over Gold Coast.
“I didn’t feel we put a quarter together today – like our poor loss against North Melbourne (129-point round two defeat) which is very annoying.”
The Giants blooded their 25th first game player on Sunday and their cause was not helped by the loss of Adam Kennedy, Liam Sumner, Jacob Townsend (injury), Devon Smith, Tom Bugg and Dylan Shiel (rested).
And the trip to Brisbane marked their seventh different venue in eight weeks.
But Sheedy was making no excuses.
Instead he looked forward to next round’s long awaited clash with his former team Essendon.
“Of course. And it will be our first game in our own stadium so that’s a very special occasion,” he said.
© AAP 2013Looking to join The Roar team? We're searching for an experienced Group Sales Manager to lead our team in Sydney. Yes, this does mean you get to work with the site all day long! If you're a digital media sales star, we want to hear from you. Apply now.
Passionate about your AFL? Then sign up to The Roar's brand new daily AFL email, delivering Roaring articles directly to you day-in, day-out. You'll love it!
Click here to join now!
The Crowd Says (13) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- AFL, Brisbane Lions, Daniel Merrett
May 21st 2012 @ 1:52pm
TomC said | May 21st 2012 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
‘But Sheedy was making no excuses.’
Hmm, well actually he made quite a lot of excuses, blaming travel and youth. Which is fair enough, really.
Still can’t get over the number of people who thought this game was going to be close.
Anyway, while the Lions briefly poke their heads out of the bottom four for a week, their only wins have been against the hapless trio of Gold Coast, Melbourne and GWS. Haven’t even looked competitive against decent opposition.
Next week against the Roos is a chance to show they’re at least capable of challenging teams outside the bottom four.
May 21st 2012 @ 2:07pm
Ian Whitchurch said | May 21st 2012 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
TomC,
For the game to be close, GWS needed to kick accurately and win the contested ball.
They did neither.
May 21st 2012 @ 4:00pm
TomC said | May 21st 2012 @ 4:00pm | Report comment
In short, they couldn’t get it, and when they got it they couldn’t use it.
What they ‘needed’ was a time machine to go forward three years.
Just huge physical differences between the two teams. There was nothing unexpected about this result.
May 21st 2012 @ 4:10pm
Ian Whitchurch said | May 21st 2012 @ 4:10pm | Report comment
TomC,
The guy who pisses me off is Rhys Palmer. Simply does not have AFL-quality ball disposal – 63% disposal efficiency plus more than a clanger for every 10 possessions just isnt good enough.
May 21st 2012 @ 4:41pm
stabpass said | May 21st 2012 @ 4:41pm | Report comment
His disposal and what happened to Barlow, accident or not, there was no talk, and very little vision, and it was Barlow running with the flight off the ball, that finished his time at the Dockers.
May 21st 2012 @ 4:33pm
Redb said | May 21st 2012 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
We tried to tell you last week GWS had no chance.
May 21st 2012 @ 5:26pm
Ian Whitchurch said | May 21st 2012 @ 5:26pm | Report comment
RedB,
I refuse to believe my team ever has no chance – if we run, tackle, chase and refuse to let the opposition physically dominate us, we can beat anyone
May 22nd 2012 @ 10:05am
Redb said | May 22nd 2012 @ 10:05am | Report comment
Ian,
The Lions are a better team than given credit for.
May 21st 2012 @ 6:49pm
MFB1991 said | May 21st 2012 @ 6:49pm | Report comment
Lets face it Ian……they were pathetic………there is no way to dress it up. They were flogged senseless by a fourth rate side…….not one player looked to be of AFL standard. This experiment is going to be interesting………..what chance the Bombers by 200 this week ?? I might even go and watch……..Homebush is just down the road from me…….albeit nowhere near the illusory place ‘Greater Western Sydney’.
May 21st 2012 @ 4:56pm
TW said | May 21st 2012 @ 4:56pm | Report comment
The GWS club are already focusing on their next game against Essendon at the revamped Skoda Stadium which itself is looking good.
They are hoping for a crowd of 20,000 to attend which will include all of their sponsors and coterie groups.
Some comments from the club indicate that playing 5 games away from Skoda has had some effect on the young team, and is not a balanced schedule ie 1 home and 1 away.
And in some more good news – The GWS AFL Academy has dominated the NSW/ACT U18 Rams Squad for the Nats U18`s Champs.
They are providing 26 out of the initial 35 man Squad.
The breakdown of the 26 reflects the expected “current”status of our game in the GWS Zones.
ACT/South – 5 Murray – 8 Riverina – 10 Western Sydney -3.
That means the balance of the NSW squad are out of the Swans development system – The above figures reflect why the AFL has set up the GWS. More needs to be and will be done in Metropolitan Sydney and Western NSW, and they also tell us the strength of our code in Southern NSW on the border.
May 21st 2012 @ 5:12pm
The Cattery said | May 21st 2012 @ 5:12pm | Report comment
Only 3 from Western Sydney – that’s the key – in years to come Western Sydney needs to be challenging Murray and Riverina for players.
May 21st 2012 @ 5:15pm
The Cattery said | May 21st 2012 @ 5:15pm | Report comment
Speaking of junior championships, the U18 Youth Girls championships have just been completed. Queensland did well to make the final, but lost by 10 goals to Victoria.
Women’s and girls’ footy continues to grow and all states now have women’s competitions, with huge growth experienced in Victoria over the past decade.
May 22nd 2012 @ 1:15pm
TW said | May 22nd 2012 @ 1:15pm | Report comment
Apparently a prototype National Womens comp may kick off next year. It may feature a interstate comp with Vic – QLD -WA playing a game or two against each other over the footy season.
Early days yet but the exact format to be decided if at state level or club level.
Also the AFL will continue the ellte senior womens squad gathering in Melb mid year for coaching and tutoring from AFL Club officials/coaches. Their chances of playing a truly international squad eventually are much better than the men.