Brisbane’s 44-point win over AFL premiers West Coast reflects a growing belief in Chris Fagan’s Lions rebuild.
When Chris Fagan first arrived at Brisbane thumping the reigning AFL premiers by 44-points was the stuff of fantasy for the ailing Lions.
On Saturday, Fagan’s rapidly improving team did exactly that – giving West Coast a Gabba touch-up in a dominant 15.12 (102) to 8.10 (58) victory.
It’s the first time Brisbane have beaten a defending premier since a win over Hawthorn in round 12, 2009.
The Lions coach said the performance embodied the growing belief in his squad.
“The players are excited about the fact that they just beat the team that won the premiership last year,” Fagan said.
“Probably couldn’t have dreamed that two years ago. I think they dreamed a bit this week about it though.”
The Eagles appeared set to start their premiership defence in winning fashion after a late six-goal surge in the opening quarter gave them a 27-point advantage at the first change.
Unbowed, the Lions outscored the Eagles 14 goals to two for the remainder of the match.
While West Coast were missing grand final-winning forwards Willie Rioli, Josh Kennedy and Jamie Cripps to injury, the defeat wasn’t because of their absence.
Brisbane’s heroes were many, with recruits Lincoln McCarthy, Lachie Neale and Jarryd Lyons among those to shine.
Captain Dayne Zorko revelled in the freedom afforded by not having to shoulder the ball-winning burden while Charlie Cameron and Hugh McCluggage provided the spark up front.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson was clearly impressed, and said his team had no answer to Brisbane’s aggression and hunger.
“I know there’ll be talk about what they did last year and what we did last year but she’s a different season,” Simpson said.
“We got beat in the midfield so it’s hard to talk about our young forwards.”
The challenge now for Brisbane will be backing up their win against North Melbourne next weekend.
After claiming just five victories apiece in both of Fagan’s seasons at the Lions helm, he knows one game doesn’t show his team has arrived.
“It’s just one week. I wish it was 15 weeks of doing that, but it’s just one,” he said.
“We haven’t beaten North Melbourne for a long time either and they got hold of us last year at Marvel Stadium … they’re a good team, well coached.”
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Pretty poor effort by the WCE after QT. I think the BL gave us some of our own medicine using the Weagles Web. We couldn't switch the ball at all after QT. Plus we didn't have any wings to transition through. Masto was missing all night and Brander is too young. The rucks got easily beaten and Hickey doesn't look like he is the answer at R2. Lots of upsets to start the season. Looks like a really even comp. WCE have their backs up against the wall with GWS and COL coming up. Could be 1 and 3 after 4 rounds and that would make it very difficult to make the eight.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
That's a point, the scoring has all dried up even more with the new rules.
Ditto
Roar Rookie
Well done to Brisbane for becoming the first team in the round to crack the 100 point mark. Gil must be thinking that this round so far has been a complete disaster.
Duckworth-Lewis
Guest
Brisbane have clearly shown that they are way ahead of Carlton. Brisbane will climb the ladder, and while they won’t make the eight, they will certainly help shape it. I expect to see Brisbane rattle a few of the better teams with their exciting brand of football. I cannot say the same about the Blues, who still look incapable of kicking a winning score. Charlie Curnow looked out of sorts against us on Thursday. Years of poor recruiting has clearly hurt them, as has the destabilization that came about with the sacking of Ratten all those years ago. Carlton were actually building nicely, like Brisbane are now, yet they ousted a perfectly good coach. Malthouse off loaded so many talented players thus decimating the team.
Klompy
Guest
Yes Hi Ghost. I am here. Yes a very disappointing game by the Premiers last night. Well done to Brisbane. Yes The Eagles can still win back to back. It is the fist game. I will say they will win three peat if the get to the Grand Final this year and win it. I still believe that they can win back to back in 2019. Remember Ghost it is only the first Game. They will beat GWS Next Week.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Yeah they had a couple out the Eagles but 14 goals to 2 after quarter time is in the Fremantle v Geelong 2018 realm and a lot of Eagles fans gave Freo some stick for that. Most had the Eagles, Pies, Crows, Demons and Tigers as premiership fancies and only the Tigers looked ok but also lost their best defender for the year. If the Bombers or Giants have a big win today their odds will shorten on the basis of the others stumbling. Has Clarkson done it again and been the best at exploiting the new Rules? How about the new look Cats? If anything, it looks like an even season could be coming. The story will be about the Eagles but those Lions looked hungry didn't they?
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
A lot more likely than the game's most overrated defender being gifted another AA jumper.
The Ghost
Guest
Hello Klompy are you there? How about those Eagles? Are they still in the box seat for the premiership? How’s the threepeat looking?
big four sticks
Guest
West Coast: I believe it’s called a hangover.