How good is it to see the Lions back at the top of the AFL ladder!
Many football scribes during the preseason had pencilled the Lions in at 0-3, but the reverse is true and the Lions sit second on the ladder behind Geelong on percentage.
One of the most pleasing things has been the wins have come about. After being a long way down against West Coast at quarter-time, the Lions kept the reigning premiers to two goals for the rest of the game. I’ll say it again – two goals in three quarters from the reigning premiers.
Against the Kangaroos the Lions started similarly slowly, with North Melbourne getting out to an early lead but Brisbane grinding them down throughout the game to escape 20-point winners. The game was a lot closer than that scoreline suggests, but the Lions got it done when it mattered and then put the foot down in the last few minutes.
But on Saturday night the Lions got out to an early lead against Port Adelaide only for Port to claw their way back into the match and into the lead in the fourth quarter. It was the first time this season that the Lions have been hunted, and in years past they would have folded – indeed it looked like it could happen again when Port started the final quarter with a bang and moved out to a ten-point lead.
With just four minutes left on the clock the Lions were trailing, having given up the solid lead they had earnt in the first quarter. But, incredibly, Brisbane managed to move the margin out to 17 points, again putting a much bigger gap on the scoreboard than there was in the game.
Brisbane Lions players Lincoln McCarthy and Charles Cameron (Jono Searle/AFL Photos/Getty Images)
As a long-suffering Brisbane Lions fan, each of the last 15 seasons has consisted of the pretty much the same elements: hope for the future, expectation of disappointment and fear that some key players will announce they are leaving the club for greener pastures. But this season is different. The Lions are winning, and winning as a team. They’ve built a squad that can pressure every team in the competition and looks committed to working together even when they’re getting belted on the scoreboard.
Chris Fagan and his staff must be applauded for the work they’ve done. Not only are the Lions playing good footy, but they’ve also built a culture that has come to the fore over the last few weeks and will hold the team in good stead for the remainder of the season. There is definitely still work to be done, but one thing that is certain: this Lions team won’t roll over like they have in the past.
Getting Luke Hodge as a backfield general is probably even more important this season with the limited runners allowed on the ground, and Hodge is showing his absolute class helping the team stand up when the chips are down.
At the start of the season I tipped the Lions to make the finals, and last week I went as far as suggesting they could finish as high as sixth. At the time of writing, 61 per cent of pundits on AFL.com.au are tipping them to finish just outside the eight. True, they don’t have the polish or the absolute weapons around the ground that the likes of Geelong or West Coast have, but they have a team full of scoring options and the ability to juggle their on-field set-up and strategy as the game ebbs and flows.
Whether it’s sending the big Oscar McInerney forward to take a clutch mark or using Cam Rayner or Charlie Cameron to kick the small forward and crumbing goals, the Lions have flexibility and threats they haven’t had for years Perhaps more importantly, they also have the defensive ability and pressure work to back it up.
I’m going to stick with my prediction of sixth knowing that it’s a long season and injuries and form will come and go, but one thing is for sure: I won’t be tuning into the Lions with a backup plan in place for half-time, and I’ll be riding every set shot and spoil like I haven’t in a long time.
maxy
Roar Rookie
port supporter here guys,happy the lions are up and about and gold coast for that matter,my opinion has always been to many sides in afl so need qld teams strong and competitive,you guys definitely on the up,agree below what tomc says, didn't think our game was anything special to watch apart from a couple of kids one on either side showing us there special talents didn't think port where going to make 8 and still have some players to come back in to that side,think bigger test await you than last couple of games,good luck if we don't make the eight and you guys do im behind you guys all the way
Tony H
Roar Pro
Fair points Tom, and I wouldn't argue against any of them; I'd add just one other salient fact. Despite not playing in perfect style, they've consistently found ways to win, and that's what good sides do. Also, add to the fact that they're the only side to have kicked over 100 in each game, and are top of the table in points for, there's enough there to suggest marked improvement.
TomC
Roar Guru
I’ve been talking them down slightly for a few months and it’s possibly beginning to look like a sort of false modesty, so let’s preface this with the obvious positives. They’ve made really large strides in the off-season. As a group they’ve clearly taken something meaningful from all the close losses last year and corrected whatever it was. They’re playing sustainable football that doesn’t rely on winning a particular part of the ground or a particular player dominating (we could quibble about Neale). They seem to be full of confidence and almost everyone in their first 22 has found some kind of form in the first three rounds. But. Apart from round one they’re not exactly winning in style. North and Port certainly had the capacity to win if they’d taken advantage of their chances. I suspect if they’d played West Coast in any round other than the first they’d have lost, or at least been run much more close. They’ve been able to field an unchanged side in each match which is a luxury that most definitely won’t last; at some point they’ll have to test their depth like other teams are doing. They still look at times like a young and mercurial side, taking over ambitious options and turning the ball over in bad positions. There are some question marks growing in the backline with opposing small forwards causing some issues, and they are still missing one or two really good ball winning midfielders to make sure they don’t get dominated in the middle like they were against the Power. Like the writer I’m loving watching them play, at least when I’m not chewing through my fingers in nervousness. Of course at 3-0 I’m thinking about the possibility of the first finals series in a decade. But they’re still a work in progress, and if 61% of pundits are still expecting them to miss the eight I think that’s pretty close to reasonable expectations.
Tony H
Roar Pro
No doubt things start to get more difficult as each subsequent team takes you more seriously, and the Lions haven't been under pressure to win games as favourites for a long time. We'll look to see how they manage it.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I wouldn't call myself a Lions fan like you guys. I have an interest in AFL as a whole, and I support the Lions because they're my local side. But I don't prioritise watching them over things in my life, which is probably why I haven't seen anything of them yet this season. So far I've had a trivia night, a cricket umpiring stint and a board games night that have clashed with our 3 games - I'm going to watch the game v Collingwood though, changed my mind about leaving early for holidays and am gonna hang round in Brisbane Thursday night. So I'll get there eventually. Should have a chance to watch Saturday arvo vs Essendon too. Honestly it's just a relief to know the days of being absolutely blown out by 80+ and the game dead by quarter time seem to be behind us. It's a long season though, and not sure how we are going to cope with being frontrunners. Last time we won 3 in a row to start the season was 2010! But I'm enjoying it while it lasts. Not gonna lie, it's particularly amusing given the amount of Broncos fans I know and how badly they're going at the moment. Not so much the shoe being on the other foot after all these years as the whole of Imelda Marcos' stash.
Tony H
Roar Pro
Hi Dingo I get what you're saying about not being top 6,but you do say that immediately after saying we could be 8-0. You're right about injuries and depth, but we've also go a spread of contributors like we haven't had in years. I think the place our depth is weakest is down back. An injury to Hodge or Harris could be disastrous. Anywhere else on the ground, and I think we have cover.
Tony H
Roar Pro
100% agree John. It's strange that the thing I'm happiest about is that we didn't play well. In years gone by, that resulted not only in losses, but drubbings.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Good on you Tony. It has been a fantastic start. Looking at our next 5 weeks. Bombers (A) , Pies (H), Suns (A) , Swans (H), Dogs (A).. we could easily be 8-0. I personally think we be 6-2 after 8 rounds which would be unbelievable. However we need be realistic about a few things. We are not all of a sudden a top 6 team. While our Best 22 is pretty solid, I still fear our depth isn’t our strong point compared to other clubs. We’ve had a magical run with injuries and Fagan has got the group believing but more importantly playing a fantastic Brand of footy. But with this brand of footy there will come down periods. We just have to ride. I think our ceiling at this time would be a finals appearance in the 8th spot but I see us finishing around 10th. But I’m truly proud to know now we are turning up and expecting to win not just playing to be competitive. We are the Pride of Brisbane Town
John Dohler
Guest
Good article, Tony - thanks. Good thing about the win over Port was that we didn't actually play that well for long stretches of the game - there is still substantial room for improvement.
Tony H
Roar Pro
Thanks Mick. It sometimes seems like only you and I are actually Lions fans on here, and I figured it was going to be one of us that wrote it. I'm not 100% sold on Witherden. Not only did he butcher the ball coming out, he gave away a few silly frees and a 50 which was a lack of maturity and game sense. I'm sure he'll improve with time. Next week against Essendon is absolutely pivotal, and particularly if we get up, the Gabba will go off against Collingwood. Fingers crossed I'm in town to get to that game!
Mick_Lions
Roar Pro
Finally!!! Thanks Tony. Someone has Finally put some time into writing up the Lions. They are on Fire! I've watched every minute of every game and was at the Gabba for their win over Port. This team, lead by Fagan, has built a culture of constant improvement, and a list that will threaten all comers for years to come. Round 1 vs West Coast the Lions showed exciting scoring and a well organised Defence. Round 2 vs North, they showed Resilience, Poise and the ability to Travel. On Saturday night, they showed their Desire to win, regardless of how the game was going, and loved having a Parochial crowd helping them out. The Lions finally have every position on the fieĺd covered. Neal is averaging 40 touches, Robinson is influencing games, McCluggage is making every touch count, if it's not Hipwood kicking 6 then it's Charlie kicking 4. Josh Walker took 6 interceptions vs Port plus another 8 marks! Now let's be honest: Zak Bailey, Alex Witherden, and at times, Daniel Rich butchered the ball out of defence, And, in all honesty we should have lost the game. But you could see the tempo escalate significantly in the last 10 minutes as the kids and guns combined to produce the points. The next 2 weeks will establish the Lions season. Essendon finally found their Mojo and the Pies will make the Gabba a near sell out for round 5. In 2 weeks we will know if the boys from Bris Vegas are the real deal and if they're 5 n 0 then I'll be screaming PREMIERSHIP loud and bold!!!