The Lions season has gone from bad to worse following a 78-point home loss to the Magpies. With only one win from their eight games, it’s almost officially season over for the boys from Brisbane.
REPORT: PIES THUMP PATHETIC LIONS
The Magpies flew out of the blocks, kicking four goals in the first quarter while keeping the Lions scoreless. It didn’t get much better for the Lions in the second quarter, as the Magpies led by 65 points at half time.
Questions will certainly be asked around the club in Brisbane, as the commentators of this match called their first half performance the worst by any side in a few years. It’s hard to argue with that assessment as well, as they were smashed in every facet of the game. In fact, going back to last week, they’d been outscored 29 goals to 6 in a five quarter period.
The Lions did improve slightly in the third quarter, but the match was already done by this point. The Magpies inaccuracy cost them a massive win in this one, as they kicked 20.23 in the 78-point victory.
This win was an extremely important one for the Pies, as they have the Cats and the Dogs in the next couple of weeks. The confidence they will take out of this game will be key as they take on two of the best sides in the AFL.
The Lions have the Demons at the MCG next weekend, and they’re facing a 1-8 start to the season. Coach Justin Leppitsch must be feeling the warmth in his seat by now.
Final score
Brisbane 10.5.65
Collingwood 20.23.143
Two struggling teams meet in the Sunshine State, as the Brisbane Lions host the Collingwood Magpies at the Gabba. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:25pm AEST.
The Lions were impressive two weeks ago against the Swans, but they undid some of that good work in last weekend’s 77-point shellacking at the hands of the Power. They were good for the first quarter, but Port kicked 18 goals to three over the last three quarters to seal the win.
Coach Justin Leppitsch will be working on inaccuracy at training this week, as the Lions kicked 3.13 after the half to seal their fate. With a trip to the MCG to meet Melbourne next weekend, a win in this clash could springboard them into a mini mid-season revival.
The Magpies have been a rabble so far in 2016, recording only two wins for the season. Those two wins were against the Tigers and the Bombers, so to say that the Pies’ season is anything less than disappointing is an understatement.
They capitulated last weekend against the Blues, only leading briefly in the first quarter in the 15 point loss. Carlton led by as much as 30 in that game, and the scoreline ended up flattering Collingwood in the end. Coach Nathan Buckley must be on a short leash now, and another loss to a struggling team could almost spell the end.
The Lions have been forced into two changes, as Harris Andrews (foot) and Tom Rockliff (hamstring) will miss with injury. They get two handy ins though, with Daniel Merrett and Lewis Taylor set to come back into the side.
The Pies have made three changes, with Tim Broomhead (ankle) and Ben Reid (shoulder) missing with injuries. James Aish has also been dropped for performance reasons. Ben Sinclair, Travis Varcoe, and Taylor Adams will all come into the side.
Prediction
This is a really tough game to predict, as both sides have shown next to nothing this season. I’m going to go with the home side, with almost no confidence.
Lions by 12
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
MVP VOTING 3. Adam Treloar: Probably his best game in the black and white, as he racked up 36 touches and three goals. 2. Scott Pendlebury: The class shone through tonight, as he picked apart the Lions defence with his precise kicking. Picked up 34 disposals and won five frees in a very solid performance. 1. Steele Sidebottom: 31 disposals at 80%, and sent the Magpies inside 50 five times. Add another 8 clearances to that, and it's another solid game from the form Magpies midfielder.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Lions season has gone from bad to worse following a 78-point home loss to the Magpies. With only one win from their eight games, it's almost officially season over for the boys from Brisbane. The Magpies flew out of the blocks, kicking four goals in the first quarter while keeping the Lions scoreless. It didn't get much better for the Lions in the second quarter, as the Magpies led by 65 points at half time. Questions will certainly be asked around the club in Brisbane, as the commentator's of this match called their first half performance the worst by any side in a few years. It's hard to argue with that assessment as well, as they were smashed in every facet of the game. In fact, going back to last week, they'd been outscored 29 goals to 6 in a five quarter period. The Lions did improve slightly in the third quarter, but the match was already done by this point. The Magpies inaccuracy cost them a massive win in this one, as they kicked 20.23 in the 78 point victory. This win was an extremely important one for the Pies, as they have the Cats and the Dogs in the next couple of weeks. The confidence they will take out of this game will be key as they take on two of the best sides in the AFL. The Lions have the Demons at the MCG next weekend, and they're facing a 1-8 start to the season. Coach Leppitsch must be feeling the warmth in his seat by now. Thanks for joining me for this clash, and be sure to stick with The Roar for the rest of the AFL weekend. STATS Disposals: Disposals: Magpies 388-311 Free Kicks: Magpies 29-21 Clearances: Magpies 48-24 Inside 50: Magpies 70-38 Contested Possessions: 152-115 Tackles: Lions 60-56 Hit Outs: Magpies 34-32
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL MAGPIES 0' Alex Fasolo will get a chance at his first goal of the night, as he marks 40 from goal, directly in front. He'll put it through. Lions 10.5 65 Magpies 20.23 143
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
For those interested, Sam Lloyd has just kicked a goal after the siren to give the Tigers a 1-point win over the Swans.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL MAGPIES 3' Adam Treloar finishes off his night nicely with a goal. He's got three, and probably the best on ground to be honest. Lions 10.4 64 Magpies 18.23 131
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND LIONS 5' Very good mark from Christensen against Varcoe, and now the Lions can go forward. Hanley finds Zorko at half forward, and he'll send the Lions deep inside 50. Walker has good position, and he takes a solid mark 25 from goal. He starts it left, and it'll stay there. Lions 10.4 64 Magpies 18.23 131
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL MAGPIES 6' Brodie Grundy with a classic ruckman's pack mark, and he'll have a shot from about 30 out. Not too much angle to worry about, and he'll put it through!! Lions 10.3 63 Magpies 18.23 131
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
8' Tom Bell comes streaking away down the wing, and Pearce Hanley has prime position here. He's managed to run himself under the ball, and Howe will get himself into the contest. Hanley eventually tracks the footy to the pocket, but his kick inside isn't marked, and now Martin is pinged holding the ball. Lions 10.3 63 Magpies 17.23 125
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL MAGPIES 9' Maynard somehow gets a handball away to De Goey, who snaps a goal!! Must have heard the voice there, because Maynard came up with the big over the shoulder handball. Lions 10.3 63 Magpies 17.23 125
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL LIONS 9' Walker is one-out inside 50, and he'll just lead up to the pocket for the chest mark. Not the easiest set shot ever, but he sneaks it inside the left goal post for a major!! Lions 10.3 63 Magpies 16.23 119
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
11' Tom Bell handballs straight to De Goey, and he'll go deep inside 50. Dayne Beams is on the bench with knee on his ice. That's is potentially shocking news for the Lions. Lions 9.3 57 Magpies 16.23 119
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL LIONS 11' Daniel Rich wins the footy at half forward, and now he shakes free of his opponent. He'll load up from about 55, and put it straight through!! Lions 9.3 57 Magpies 16.23 119
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
12' Josh Walker pinged for holding the footy after dropping an easy mark. Not his finest hour. Lions 8.3 51 Magpies 16.23 119
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
13' Treloar takes Paparone without the footy, and now Greenwood is taken high. The Magpies will get the free kick, and Treloar is very lucky to get away with that one. Greenwood misses everything. Lions 8.3 51 Magpies 16.23 119
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL LIONS 14' Josh Schache manages to mark 55 from goal, but his set shot will miss everything. Now a poor turnover from Brodie Grundy, and Lester marks about 10 metres from goal. He'll kick a goal. Lions 8.3 51 Magpies 16.23 119
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND MAGPIES 16' Alex Fasolo with a good shepherd for Varcoe, who marks just inside 50. Distance won't be an issue, but he is off to the left. Lions 7.3 45 Magpies 16.23 119
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND LIONS 18' Daniel Rich will send it long to the goal square, but it's Jeremy Howe that comes through with the big spoiling fist. Lions 7.3 45 Magpies 16.22 118
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL MAGPIES 19' Quick start for the Magpies, as Crocker marks inside 50. He'll kick his third, and the Pies lead by 74. Lions 7.2 44 Magpies 16.22 118
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME Much better performance from the Lions, but this game lost all its sting in the first 10 minutes. STATS Disposals: Magpies 296-237 Free Kicks: Magpies 23-16 Clearances: Magpies 37-18 Inside 50: Magpies 55-27 Contested Possessions: Magpies 111-84 Tackles: Lions 47-42 Hit Outs: Magpies 26-24 AFL FANTASY TOP 5 1. Adam Treloar 97 2. Dayne Zorko 88 3. Jesse White 80 4. Scott Pendlebury 78 5. Taylor Adams 77
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND MAGPIES 0' Crocker is impeded in a marking contest, and he'll get a shot at goal. He's put it across the face. Lions 7.2 44 Magpies 15.22 112