The Lions have managed to conjure a 172 point turnaround from last weekend to record a 67 point victory over Collingwood on Saturday night.
The midfield were brilliant for Brisbane, with Rockliff, Zorko and Hanley dominating proceedings.
However, the biggest story out of this clash might be the injuries to the Magpies. Elliott and Pendlebury were both lost before the opening bounce, and then Reid, Cloke and Beams all succumbed to injuries during the game.
FINAL SCORE:
BRISBANE 18.15.123
COLLINGWOOD 8.8.56
The Collingwood Magpies will be looking to push into the top eight when they take on the Brisbane Lions at the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:40pm (AEST).
The Magpies were beaten soundly by the Eagles last weekend, putting a massive dent in their finals aspirations.
They’re currently sitting in ninth on the ladder, but a win against Brisbane should be enough to see them jump into the top eight.
Seeing as the Magpies are meeting the Hawks in Round 23, they need to bank the four points to have any chance of playing finals.
The Lions took a massive step back in their development last weekend, losing to the Crows by triple digits at the Gabba. For a team that hadn’t been playing too badly for the previous six weeks, the loss was unacceptable.
They should be fired up for this clash, ready to prove that last weekend was an aberration.
Four changes for the Magpies, with the biggest being the return of Dane Swan. Brodie Grundy, Luke Ball and Ben Sinclair will also take their places in the Magpies squad. Sam Dwyer misses this clash with a hamstring injury, while Clinton Young, Tony Armstrong and Jesse White have all been dropped for the clash.
In milestone news, Alex Fasolo plays his 50th games this weekend, and Jarryd Blair brings up the century.
Only one change for the Lions, as Claye Beams replaces Nick Robertson in the side. Tom Rockliff is set to play his 100th game of AFL footy.
Prediction
Collingwood have been average recently, with the only exception being Nick Maxwell’s tribute game against Port Adelaide a fortnight ago.
Having said that, they should have enough class in the midfield to get over the top of a very young Lions side.
Magpies by 17.
Copeland
Guest
Buckley will continue to shrug off his overt incompetence as a coach, and fundamental inability to even relate to the players, right up until the point that he is shown the door. Buckley has destroyed any prospect of success that remained within the club, following the demise of Malthouse, and the Pies are now very real contenders for the spoon in season 2015, unless he is removed now.
Copeland
Guest
Collingwood will lose to GWS next week, and the result against the Hawks in the final round is a foregone conclusion. With the Pies now likely to finish season 2014 in 12th place, and notwithstanding the horrendous injury toll last night, one thing is certain if the club is to ever regain its winning ways, Buckley must go and quickly.
Axle an the guru
Guest
I think GWS will beat them. I predicted early in the season that Thompson would be coaching Collingwood next year,i still think its a possibility.
John Hamilton
Roar Pro
I can't wait for Eddies rant if GWS beat Collingwood next week
Axle an the guru
Guest
Looking at the way Eddie and hie honcho mates are talking together in the corner of the room could mean trouble for Buckley,esspecially if Boofhead loses the next two games as coach,who knows they could be his last?
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Lions get their best win of the season by far tonight. The Lions win this one by 67 points, meaning that they've managed to conjure up a 172 point turnaround from last weekend. The midfield were brilliant for Brisbane tonight, with Rockliff, Zorko and Hanley dominating proceedings. However, the biggest story out of this clash might be the injuries to the Magpies. Elliott and Pendlebury were both lost before the opening bounce, and then Reid, Cloke and Beams all succumbed to injuries during the game. Thanks for joining me for this one. There's still 7 minutes to go in a close game in Adelaide if you're interested in joining that one.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND LIONS 1' Under 90 seconds left now, as the Lions continue to run through the midfield. Patfull marks on the wing, and now Maguire runs to 50. He goes for the goalsquare, where Close takes a very strong mark. He goes back from right in front and slides it across the face. Magpies 8.8 56 Lions 18.15 123
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
2' Mayes goes inside 50, but Green can't control the footy. Throw in, and the Magpies manage to clear away. Magpies 8.8 56 Lions 18.14 122
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
3' Another clearance to the Lions, as Taylor sends the Lions inside 50. Green wins the footy back to Beams, and he goes short to Zorko. Zorko centres the ball, but the Magpies have enough numbers to get this one out. Magpies 8.8 56 Lions 18.14 122
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL LIONS 3' Pearce Hanley has some space, and he hits this one long to the goal square. Crisp is the first one there, and he leaves Keefe in his dust to snap a goal!! Magpies 8.8 56 Lions 18.14 122
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL MAGPIES 5' That's easily the Pies best goal of the night. Clinton Young uses Brodie Grundy with the give and go. Young gets it back, and kicks a good goal!! Magpies 8.8 56 Lions 17.14 116
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Sack Buckley. Playing a bloke that played virtually a full game of VFL is a disgrace!
Bobbo7
Guest
These coaches with no experience are turning out great. Buckley appears to have no idea and Hird drugged his team and then drags the club through the mud. Maybe teams should only appoint coaches with experience coaching
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND LIONS 6' Crisp kicks a behind. Still having server issues, but I'll try and keep you posted as best I can. Magpies 7.8 50 Lions 17.14 116
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Updated Score Magpies 7.8 50 Lions 17.13 115
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Sorry folks, looks like the Bledisloe has the servers down
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Sorry folks, looks like the Bledisloe has the servers down. Brisbane have had a couple of rushed behinds. Magpies 7.7 49 Lions 17.13 115
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND MAGPIES 8' Taylor can't kick the goal. Now Keefe has kicked out on the full, so the Lions are right on the attack again. Magpies 7.7 49 Lions 17.12 114
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
9' Magpies looking to build through the midfield here, but the fist from Clark on Fasolo is great. Adcock is out again now, and Green marks on the 50. He turns around and hits Lewis Taylor 30 from home. Magpies 7.7 49 Lions 17.11 113
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Bit of both John. Brisbane could have beaten anyone tonight, but the Magpies made it very easy for them. Thanks for tuning in :)