The Brisbane Lions will be looking for their first win of the season, but it won’t be easy as they take on reigning premiers, the Richmond Tigers at the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:10pm (AEST).
The Lions have been good this year and have shown huge promise to their success-starved fan-base, but they are yet to take the points in any of the three matches.
They came closest last week, when they challenged Port Adelaide until the final seconds, where they ultimately came up short, going down by five points at the Adelaide Oval. Stef Martin was again the best for Brisbane, with 30 touches, and 49 hit outs, while new recruit Charlie Cameron had three goals.
The task for their first win of the year does not get any easier, as they come up against a rampaging Richmond outfit, who are on the hunt to go back-to-back in 2018.
The Tigers were outstanding against Hawthorn last Sunday. They got out to an early lead, and never let it go, and though they were challenged late by the Hawks, they eventually got over the line by 13 points. Captain Trent Cotchin was among the best with 31 touches, while Jack Riewoldt booted four goals.
Newbie Jack Higgins makes way for the Tigers, along with Sam Lloyd, as Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy return. For the Lions, they welcome back star midfielder Dayne Beams, and debutant Zac Bailey, with Ryan Lester and Cedric Cox missing out.
Players to Watch
Richmond: Dustin Martin
Who else but Dusty? The 2017 Brownlow Medallist had a quiet game last week. Well, quiet by his standards. He will want to dust off (pun intended) last week’s individual performance and come out firing against the Lions.
Brisbane: Stefan Martin
Stef Martin has had an outstanding start to the 2018 season. The former Demon nearly single-handedly brought the Lions over the line last week and will be hoping to go one step further this week and bring Brisbane a famous win.
Prediction
The Lions were good last week against a good Port Adelaide side, but they are against a side have hit their strides. Richmond will be good, the Lions will challenge, but it won’t be enough.
Richmond by 30 points.
Can Brisbane bring up their first win of the year? Or will Richmond continue their march and make it three and one to start the season? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:10pm (AEST).
Follow Dylan on Twitter @dylcarmody77
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Couldn't feel much worse than a supporter this afternoon after whatever that was on display..... But lucky enough to only have to wait a couple of hours for Carlton! They always make me feel so much better!!!!! Bolton the super coach!
Philby
Guest
Tough day at the office Paul D....we've all been there. All the best.
tibor nagy (big four sticks)
Guest
I picked this your lordship. Hopefully now you see that we will go back to back. If you get an email notifying you of a response to your comment, come and join us down at the Spread Eagle, and experience some real Richmond hospitality. We never get ahead of ourselves at Tigerland, but it's still Tiger time folks!
Hawksman1992
Roar Rookie
That was pathetic by Brisbane today. I think they will get the wooden spoon
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
Match Report: A Dustin Martin masterclass has paved the way for Richmond to demolish Brisbane by 93 points at the MCG on a gloomy Saturday afternoon. Martin was at his best as he played in the forward line for most of the game, booting six goals to lead the way for the Tigers as they notched their third win of the year. It was a sorry day for the Lions, as they kicked their lowest ever score in AFL footy, totaling in at 17 points. Coming into this game after nearly toppling Port Adelaide the week prior, Brisbane almost had the perfect start when Charlie Cameron looked to kick the first goal of the game in the opening minute for the Lions. However, when a controversial score review saw the goal reversed to a point, it was a sign of things to come, as Richmond got into their groove and took control of the first quarter, kicking five goals to none in the first term. Things did not get better in the second, with Brisbane constantly making mistakes and the Tigers continuing to find gaps in the Lions’ defensive 50, heading into the break with a 54 point advantage, Brisbane goalless for the first half. The third quarter came, and nothing changed for the Lions, as they kept making basic skill errors, and lacking pressure inside their defensive 50 to gift Richmond plenty of chances, which the reigning premiers were more than happy to take. It took a dropped chest mark from Toby Nankervis for Brisbane’s first goal, coming with 40 seconds to go in the third term, Dayne Zorko with a roving snap to give the Lions their first goal of the game. The final term came quickly for the Lions, as the Tigers tired slightly, but so did the Lions, who continued to make errors, and Richmond just kept coming, eventually putting Brisbane away by NUM points, their highest ever winning margin against Brisbane. It was a massive win for the Tigers, who made sure they made a statement against the Lions. Dustin Martin was the star with six goals, while Jason Castagna and Jacob Townsend had three goals apiece. It was an horrific afternoon for Brisbane, though there were rare bright spots, with Alex Witherden led the disposal count with 27, and number one draft pick Cam Rayner having his best game to date, with 22 touches and a goal. Richmond’s Jack Graham was reported in the third quarter for a late hit on Dayne Zorko. Brisbane will be hoping to forget this game and re-group ahead of next week’s Q-Clash with the Gold Coast Suns on Sunday, whilst Richmond will be eying off the Anzac Day Eve clash next Tuesday night against Melbourne, in what looks to be a sell-out.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Cheers for the blog. Bit grumpy - understandably, so apologies for being terse at times
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Richmond 16.14 (110) defeat Brisbane 2.5 (17) by 93 points. Brisbane have kicked their lowest ever score in their AFL history, in what was an horrific afternoon for them. They played poorly, could not hit a target, had no pressure and Richmond ran all over them. Meanwhile, the Tigers showed what a quality team they are, Dusty Martin kicking 6 goals for the reigning premiers, They moved the ball so well, were ruthless in defence and sent a message to the rest of the competition that they definitely do not have a premiership hangover. Match report will be out soon, thanks for joining me today!
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL RICHMOND Townsend with the free kick, from 30 out, right in front, in the pouring rain, he kicks his third and the Tigers march onwards. Richmond 16.14 (110) Brisbane 2.5 (17) Q4 01.50
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL RICHMOND Dusty Dusty Dustyyyyyyy All by himself on the flank, he sprints in, dodges a tackler, snaps on his left and kicks his sixth. Richmond 15.14 (104) Brisbane 2.5 (17) Q4 03.23
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
Rayner gets slammed by Prestia, he took too long and that is ball. Prestia to Houli, Grigg to Houli, and they go inside 50, three Tigers are there, they rove to a snapping Grigg, but he kicks this out on the full.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL RICHMOND Cotchin marks inside 50, and unselfishly chips to Lambert, who slams this home for another. Richmond by 81. Richmond 14.14 (98) Brisbane 2.5 (17) Q4 05.44
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL RICHMOND And as quick as you like, Dustin martin slams this on the boot into the 50, and townsend takes a good mark. 40 out, right in front, and Jacob Townsend slams this home for his second goal of the day. Richmond 13.14 (92) Brisbane 2.5 (17) Q4 06.13
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL BRISBANE Mark from Cam Rayner, lining up for his first goal of the day. It has been a horrible day, but he has had a good game. He trots in and finishes it off, good goal and Brisbane have their second. Richmond 12.14 (86) Brisbane 2.5 (17) Q4 07.00
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
Zorko crunches Conca in a massive tackle, but gets pinged for a dangerous tackle, and Beams doesn't agree, with an audible "are you kidding me", though that is the clean version of it.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
Great chase from Charlie Cameron, runs down Reece Conca. Small ray of sunshine from an otherwise gloomy day. Results in a Hipwood mark, and from 55 out or so, he gives it everything, but the accuracy is off, and it is out on the full.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Main thing I’m noticing is just the lack of execution and commitment from the lions - playing 4 quarters still a long way off if we can’t focus even on one quarter when the opposition is more likely than ever to be winding down.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
BEHIND RICHMOND LAMBERT! No, behind. Soccered off the ground, was a bouncing ball in a pack, would have been brilliant but off to the left. Richmond 12.13 (85) Brisbane 1.5 (11) Q4 13.45
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
BEHIND BRISBANE McCluggage shoots for goal, and it is out to the left. Richmond 12.12 (84) Brisbane 1.5 (11) Q4 17.34
Paul D
Roar Guru
Lewy Taylor showing why he will never be part of the rebuild of the club - misreads rayners kick, watches it go over his head, drops his shoulders doesn’t stand the mark and blames Rayner for his own mistake. Afl requires a more staunch demeanour
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL RICHMOND No problem for the 2017 Brownlow Medallist, slight angle but he bangs it home, and has goal number 5. Richmond 12.12 (84) Brisbane 1.4 (10) Q4 18.16