There are casual fans who do not pay to watch AFL games, thus the only matches they see are the ones on Channel Seven. Sunday was the first time that such a match had featured Brisbane all year (with the exception of AFLX).
Of course, they probably would have had some knowledge of Brisbane’s season to date – respectable losing margins as the rule, not the exception. A team that was good but not good enough. An unfamiliar cast that they never see, never enjoying team success, perpetually on the brink of breaking the dam wall.
They finally did.
Sunday was a good day for football in Brisbane because when the Lions finally did win, it was on free-to-air television, with all the benefits of its access to a mass audience.
It was obvious they were trying to maximise a rare opportunity. Rarely does a football team allow quite the level of access that the Lions allowed Channel Seven. Moreover, the audience wasn’t being asked to fall in love with an old team, but a new team.
Leigh Matthews was in the commentary box, Simon Black was interviewed by a commentator, and the soundtrack provided by Daniel Merrett was analysed by commentators, but it didn’t look like a win from premiership days or even ’09 – the year that Brisbane last won against Hawthorn.
It just looked like a normal win from a normal team, one that took the aggressive option at every opportunity, made the most of forward-50 entries, kicked straight, and whose major flaw was not being able to keep their feet at all times. The likes of Harris Andrews and Charlie Cameron were a pure joy to watch.
Luke Hodge, who had consented to be interviewed during the match, was also interviewed immediately after its conclusion. It was the last part of Channel Seven’s coverage before going to the news coverage of the royal wedding, thereby transiting from one 33-year-old enjoying the best day of his life to another. OK, maybe the day of his own wedding is ahead of Sunday. And the days on which his sons were born. And the days he won premierships.
The point is, Brisbane won.
Birdman
Guest
Hawks to take the high flying Eagles down this weekend?
Paul D
Roar Guru
Given what you add to discussions, I'm glad you find them irrelevant
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Most games at home for Lions have had more away supporters so the advantage isnt that noticeable.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Somewhat like Essendon? 3 and 6! 3 wins and a bucket load of % from top 4. Give us a break. What have Essendon done this century? Oh yeah . . . disgraceful.
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
I'm struggling to think of a Brisbane team that has moved the ball as quickly as what they were against the Hawks. Great stuff.
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
Fair enough. I don't pay to watch anything other than local footy but that's not because of any objections to Rupert Murdoch or the AFL - I just don't feel strongly enough about the sport to pay to watch it on a screen. Echo your sentiments about the Blues.
Ryan Geer
Roar Pro
Loved watching the Lions get up, their pressure on the Hawks was amazing. They took their chances and their tall forward line really troubled the Hawks defence. Charlie Cameron was amazing again and would have to be in the conversation for the best pickup for the season.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Not sure about the implication that you're only a 'casual fan' if you don't pay to watch footy. I love footy; I just don't want to give money to Murdoch. But yes, from a neutral perspective it was nice to see the Lions get a win. From my own, one-eyed perspective, it's nice to see the Blues back on the bottom of the ladder.
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
Oh I think it'll be close, but I think Sydney will win.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Oh the Swans in Brisbane. I'm not convinced Brisbane won't give them a shake.
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
People really love Hawthorn, don't they?
WCE
Roar Rookie
how sweet it is to see cocky smug hawks get belted by the bottom side - brilliant
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
Congratulations. Wouldn't recommend going the same way this weekend.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I watched the Lions push the Pies to within a kick and was impressed enough to put them as my banker in multi's against the Hawks - they will beat a number of teams at home if they keep a healthy list. A side on the rise for sure.
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
Ah right. Fair enough. Put it this way, I don't think Brisbane will win next week. But I do think the time that the following poem references might finally be over: When they were the Brisbane Bears, they left behind Robert Walls. As the Brisbane Lions, now they only play behind paywalls. Teams used to be in the grasp of their paw. Now, Brisbane pray for a draw. They won their part of the AFLX, and everyone said, “Next!” Many of the players have already gone to their next club, while many of the fans have gone to the nearest pub. They provide fodder for the ramblers, and sure money for the gamblers.
I ate pies
Guest
I was about to comment about Charlie Cameron until I saw this comment. He's been way more valuable than Hodge this year. I'm one of those "Brisbane are my second team" people so I follow them a bit; I'm allowed to have them as my second team though because I was a Fitzroy fan...anywho, back to the issue at hand; he's electrifying when he gets going. Only Cyril can stop as quickly and change direction from top speed. He's great to watch.
Paul D
Roar Guru
It’s a good article mate, don’t mind me. My comments above were all in the nature of yelling at clouds in the media rather than you or your piece. I just think people are racing ahead a bit. It was a great win and I enjoyed the hell out of it on the day. But this drive to make this win part of some larger rebirth or reawakening of the club is offputting. Personally I’m more excited about Charlie Cameron. For the first time since Aker we have a genuine excitement machine who can be relied on to do the amazing each week.
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
Hi Paul D, I watched the match as well. Happy to stipulate it's about far more than Hodge. The Lions are my favorite team, not second. It's why I mentioned Cameron and Andrews. Also, I'm not from Victoria.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Huh, I was wondering why all the bells and whistles were on display in the broadcast We get the lions game live and free every weekend in Brisbane but I didn’t realise it was the one being broadcast into Victoria as well. Don’t mind me I just don’t like the lazy narrative. What happens next year when Hodge retires, and also it undercuts all the hard work the rest of the squad did for years before he swanned on up here. Most people in Victoria don’t have a clue about the lions beyond being their second team to support like the bulldogs were for so many years.
Aligee
Guest
I have said this a number of times but a team needs to play well at home, you may get beaten on the road or even on occasion get flogged but if you are competitive and win your fair share at home the fans will stick by you. You MUST be competitive at home - Lions are a young team in general and i would say they will regress occasionally but plenty of light at the end of the tunnel for them. They just may have turned a corner.