The Brisbane Lions have finally notched their second win of season 2016, defeating Essendon by 37 points on Sunday.
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Final score
Brisbane Lions 20-8-128
Essendon Bombers 12-19-91
An intriguing battle for the wooden spoon takes place this afternoon when the Essendon Bombers take on the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1.10pm (AEST).
A loss to the Brisbane Lions could mean the end for coach Justin Leppitsch, who has been under increasing pressure as the Lions stretch their losing streak to 12 games.
Another loss against the pre-season wooden spoon favourites could be the last straw, although Lions powerbroker Leigh Matthews has said the club will continue to support the beleaguered coach.
The Bombers are on an even greater losing streak of 14 games, but have shown in recent weeks that a win may just be around the corner. Poor kicking for goal has proven costly as the Bombers have had more scoring shots than their opponents in the past two weeks.
Last week against the Tigers, the Bombers got within one point late in the last quarter before Richmond steadied to kick the last three goals.
The Lions are coming off a 79-point thrashing against the Giants, who had 115 more disposals and nearly 30 more inside 50s. The Giants also had 52 more contested possessions.
But they showed a couple of weeks ago against the Suns that, when they get it right, they can be a handful. Some of their youngsters stood up, such as Rhys Mathieson with 24 disposals and Eric Hipwood with four goals, and gave the Lions some hope that not all is lost.
Prediction
The Lions have tended to start games well but have been poor in the middle part of the game. The Bombers generally have a good game if they start well. A key duel will be in the ruck where the Bombers’ Matthew Leuenberger will play against his old team for the first time facing the Lions’ Stefan Martin. Leuenberger will have a point to prove against Martin, who beat him out as Brisbane’s best ruckman last season.
With the better recent form, the Bombers should win their second game of the season and heap more pressure on Leppitsch and the Lions.
Bombers by 25.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report Thanks for joining us today and don't forget to check out the other two games today on the Roar!!
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Both field and goal kicking have been a problem all year, but particularly poor today joe.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
MATCH REVIEW The Brisbane celebrated their first win in thirteen weeks and took some of the pressure off coach Justin Leppitsch when they steamrolled a disappointing Essendon by 37 points at Etihad Stadium. The Lions dominated clearances and contested possession and set up their victory in the third quarter when they won the clearance count 12-2 led by Adam Rich who had 12 possessions for the quarter. They comprehensively won the midfield battle with Zorko, Rich, Rockliff and Bastinac all playing well. Ruckman Stefan Martin may not have had as many hit outs as his counterpart and former teammate Matthew Leuenberger but he had far more influence and his taps far more effective and also had 14 contested possessions and six clearances. Former Cat James Walker finished with four goals from four marks. The difference in this game was that the Lions were more efficient and made the most of their opportunities scoring 20 goals from just 54 inside 50s. The Bombers won the inside 50 count 66-54 and had more scoring shots and labored when they got the ball inside 50. Their defence gave away far too many easy goals but that’s not to deny the Lions credit. Their pressure on the player with the ball was far better and their players showed more commitment at the contested ball. The Bombers could have suffered an even bigger loss if not for emerging midfield star Zach Merrett who played a lone hand across the midfield. The Bombers losing run extended to 15 matches and coach John Worsfold would have been disappointed with the uncompetitive effort. One shining light for the Bombers apart from Merrett was the debut of high draft pick Aaron Francis who finished with 16 disposals and seven marks, including a game high four contested marks. The Lions also would have been encouraged by the performance of several youngsters. Rhys Mathieson, Eric Hipwood, Liam Dawson and Tom Cutler all showing glimpses at different stages to give the Lions some hope for the future. It included a goal of the year contender from Hipwood who showed flashes of real skill during the game. FINAL SCORES Brisbane Lions 20-8-128 Essendon Bombers 12-19-91 VOTES 3. Stefan Martin (Bris) - Most of his taps were to advantage, started many of their scoring attacks and was excellent at ground level. 2. Zach Merrett (Ess) - Just didn't stop all day, 86% disposal efficiency and most of his kicks which were greater than 30 metres hit their mark. 1. Tom Rockliff (Bris) - 38 disposals and they just weren't short sideway passes. 17 contested and game high ten inside 50s.
joe
Guest
does essendon have a skills coach?their kicking both at goal and field is rather poor and doesn't seem to have improved during the season.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
FINAL SIREN and a 37 point victory to the Brisbane Lions ESSENDON 12 . 19 . 91 BRISBANE 20 . 8 . 128
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Fantasia marks on the wing, dummys William...runs to 50 and kicks the GOAL ESSENDON 12 . 19 . 91 BRISBANE 20 . 8 . 128 Q4 1'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Francis marks again inside 50...short to Dempsey who goes short again to Fantasia 15 out acute angle. Kicks his second GOAL ESSENDON 11 . 18 . 84 BRISBANE 20 . 8 . 128 Q4 3'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Kelly goes long from the wing and finds Francis mark in the forward pocket. Been very impressive on debut.....misses to the left. ESSENDON 10 . 17 . 77 BRISBANE 20 . 8 . 128 Q4 6'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Fantasia make something out of nothing...pick up the ball outside 50...runs to 50 and kicks a nice GOAL! ESSENDON 10 . 15 . 75 BRISBANE 20 . 8 . 128 Q4 10'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Turnover by the Bombers allows Green in and he finds Walker 40 out. Kicks his fifth for the day. ESSENDON 9 . 14 . 68 BRISBANE 20 . 8 . 128 Q4 11'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Rockliff marks at half forward and finds Schache...good mark. ....misses to the right ESSENDON 9 . 14 . 68 BRISBANE 19 . 8 . 122 Q4 13'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Martin out of the middle to Bastinac...long to Walker 35 out. Walker ...nice kick for his third. ESSENDON 9 . 14 . 68 BRISBANE 19 . 7 . 121 Q4 15'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Good play by Mayes on the wing...breaks away and finds Dawson 35 out. Kicks the GOAL...back out to a 47 point lead. ESSENDON 9 . 14 . 68 BRISBANE 18 . 7 . 115 Q4 16'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Brown releases McDonald-Tippa who runs inside 50...eventually runs so fast he falls over...but is able to handball to Dempsey who snaps the GOAL ESSENDON 9 . 14 . 68 BRISBANE 17 . 7 . 109 Q4 16'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Gleeson off half back again...to Zaharakis who goes long to Daniher who marks 25 out. Kicks his fourth. ESSENDON 8 . 14 . 62 BRISBANE 17 . 6 . 108 Q4 18'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Lions go forward again ..Schache picks up hand balls to Bewick who kicks the GOAL! Lions on fire!! ESSENDON 7 . 14 . 56 BRISBANE 17 . 6 . 108 Q4 19'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Last qtr under way....Hanley grabs it from the bounce and kicks a long GOAL!! ESSENDON 7 . 14 . 56 BRISBANE 16 . 6 . 102 Q4 19'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Lions winning the clearances 12-2 that quarter
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Lions again from the middle...Zorko finds Dawson 35 out as the siren sounds. Kicks another GOAL and it's the Lions by 40 at THREE QUARTER TIME ESSENDON 7 . 14 . 56 BRISBANE 15 . 6 . 96
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Lions go forward , ball falls out the back ...Green first to it...snaps the quick reply ESSENDON 7 . 14 . 56 BRISBANE 14 . 6 . 90 Q3 1'