That’s the question on everyone’s lips in Queensland after the Lions managed to topple Adelaide by a solitary point today.
It was a great win for the young Lions outfit, with the Crows no pushovers after playing a solid month of football.
Lachie Neale was again outstanding with 39 disposals and Charlie Cameron was dynamic around the goals with only inaccuracy stopping him kicking a bag.
What I found most impressive about the Lions today was their ability to tackle and pressure Adelaide. The Crows dominated the aerial game with 91 marks to 66, yet the Lions out-tackled the Crows by 24.
That showed their willingness to press against the Crows and to not let Adelaide dominate with their possession style of footy. The Crows have been susceptible to teams starving them of the footy and even though Brisbane didn’t do that over the whole match, they did enough.
They were able to play corridor footy for the majority of the game and take out a small period in the second term they never looked like losing control of the match.
I thought when the Lions stretched out a 26-point lead in the last term that they were home. But credit must go to Adelaide for fighting on and the match could’ve gone either way in the end.
But it’s another win for a Lions side that’s growing with confidence each quarter and each game in 2019. And digging into some stats reveals that.
Judging on a quarter-by-quarter basis it seems that the Lions are slow starters and fast finishers. They have managed to win just nine out of 18 first and second quarters with a percentage of 88. But when they leave the half time sheds they explode.
They have won 12 out of 18 quarters with a percentage of 121. That’s a sign of a team that knows when to play their best football and that’s at the end of games.
Another reason why I see Brisbane playing finals in 2019 is their player availability. So far after nine rounds of football, they have had 16 players play every game.
That’s a massive advantage for a young side that needs continuity within the group. Chris Fagan must also be rapt that the team is breaking a number of hoodoos so far this season.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
They have managed to beat West coast and Adelaide for the first time since 2012, took care of Sydney for their first win since 2009 and also defeated Port for the first time in half a decade. These sort of wins can turn into a tsunami of belief that a whole club can ride a wave on.
And looking ahead to the rest of their fixture it paints a very positive picture. They play Fremantle in Perth next week then follow that up with playing four teams currently outside the eight. If they can manage to go 3-2 or even 4-1 in that stretch this season could be their oyster.
So lock yourself in Brisbane fans. The train towards September may be gaining traction at a greater speed than anyone anticipated. Their hardest games for the season will probably be against GWS in Round 16 and Geelong in Round 22.
Every other game you could make an argument that they have a realistic chance of winning them. Even Port Adelaide in Adelaide and Hawthorn in Melbourne aren’t impossible road trips.
If the young Lions can win next week against Fremantle I would even go out on a limb and say they can finish top four. Let’s see what next week unfolds for us.
Adam Copland
Guest
Jeremy Cameron is a free agent at the end of next season. Would be a great fit for Brisbane, and if he went at the end of this season GWS would get something decent for him rather than a draft pick a year later.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
The Crouch Brothers are also slow of foot (but quite quick with their hands and their minds). Need Milera back, and more time in the middle for the likes of Gallucci. Apparently a couple of the new recruits McHenry, Caldwell and Stengle all have pace so there may be some light at the end of the tunnel on the pace front.
Ditto
Roar Rookie
Agree, Gibbs looks like he's running on the spot.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Cam Ellis-Yoleman has done OK since coming into the side but he lacks pace (and that is already a well entrenched affliction that besets Adelaide's midfield).
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Adelaide were of course also severely undermanned the day that they beat Port but I agree, Adelaide has not beaten any side that will feature come September (and lost to a couple that won't)!
Powa
Roar Rookie
I think the crows have been given a bit too much credit for beating a severely undermanned port, and other than that a bunch of very average teams
1DER
Guest
Predicted the Lions to be in the eight all year, however, the last two home and away games of the year will determine whether they are finals bound?
Cat
Roar Guru
The corner has clearly been turned, if it isn't this year than Brisbane should certainly be expecting to challenge for finals the next few years
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Would love the Club to get a Jason Dunstall type down to help Hipwood and McStay kicking for goal. I can't stand the man but maybe even Matthew Lloyd as a natural left footer to help both boys out.
John Dohler
Roar Rookie
Gotta love Hipwood's energy, marking, motor and enthusiasm but I close my eyes every time he lines up for a set shot.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Our forward line is still very flaky! I’m starting to at least consider finals, but I’m certainly not making any plans to venture to a finals series. It is great to tick off a few boxes in terms of teams who have had the absolute wood on us. But I’m proud to say I now look forward to watching us play ever week. I certainly couldn’t say that 12-18 months ago.
Nick
Guest
Would be good if they could but doubt it. Defence is very iffy. Relies on Harris, who played very well yesterday, rich and a 35yr old in Hodge (who is one of their best defences). The forward line would need to improve immensely. Too inconsistent and shocking kicks at goal. Hopefully some of the young guys can improve enough over the season to make it a reality.
Cat
Roar Guru
Nothing is guaranteed for any side yet. Lots of games to be played but Brisbane are setting themselves up well and should play finals. Have to avoid the big losses. Fairly soft fixture as you'd expect, would probably want to have a spot locked up prior to the last 2 weeks of the season.
Ditto
Roar Rookie
PTS, 15 wins is attainable, they may not achieve this, but they would need to drop games to teams that on available evidence are inferior teams, that are probably younger than they are, but they can do that and still make the 8. On being young, they are not that young, half their team is in the over 24 age bracket and even players that are young like Hipwood and Andrews are not inexperienced having played 60 and 82 games respectfully. Lock them in.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
That was a significant win for the Lions and all credit to them. However, history is littered with young sides doing well in the first half of the season then coming back to earth as the grind takes its toll. Talk of top 4 and a 15 win season is still premature in my opinion. The Lions will do really well to find a spot in the lower reaches of the eight. They are exciting to watch and becoming the neutral fans 2nd side but have a a way to go yet.
Ditto
Roar Rookie
Brisbane are a lock for top 8. They're on track for a 15 win season, does that get them top 4? On Adelaide, losing is disappointing, but on an evolutionary scale I think this was Adelaide's best game. When challenged they needed to roll the dice a bit and got their transitional game going. Rory Sloane is getting better every week. Cam Ellis-Yoleman finally looks comfortable with the pace of AFL. They need to do more work to get their share of clearances, Matt Crouch helps here, but I'd like to see Milera play midfield when he comes back.
Fairsuckofthesav
Roar Rookie
That would make up for the frees Lions got in front of goal in the 3rd quarter not to mention the centre bounce that went straight to their ruckman and wasnt recalled.
Larry1950
Guest
I'm an erstwhile supporter who has generally only seen a few games since their glory days because the lions haven't really been on screens at attractive times for the past 10 years. Got sick of hearing political stuff pre-election yesterday, flicked on the last 9 minutes with the lions well on top & proceeded to watch the crows get free after free until the death. A few great defensive marks made all the difference in that short but exciting period. Never saw the squads but wonder did they have anyone out or off injured late in the game? Whatever happened, they've at least got some fight in them.
Timbo's rules
Guest
I liked what I saw. Brisbane have all the traits of a top eight side. Crows were a bit off the intensity of the last 4 weeks and almost stole the win. They wouldn't have deserved it but it shows Brisbane are a way off pushing for top 4.
Lionhearted
Guest
Chris Fagan and David Noble are to be congratulated for the stability and culture that they have brought to the club. The seeming change from a "go home" to an increasingly "destination" club has seen both an increase in high quality recruits such as Lachie Neale and Charlie Cameron and the consistent re-signings of high quality young players are setting the platform for long term success. Where once, the go-home of Beams would have been a disaster it now doesn't rate as even a minor blip on the radar. His "replacement" - Neale- is better and younger and will contribute longer to sustained success. The emergence of debutants such as Noah Ainsworth and Mitch Hinge from an undefeated NEAFL side together with many more NEAFL players in terrific form means that for the first time in many years there is red hot competition for places in the top 22. Luke Hodge has proven a recruiting masterstroke, and the win over Adelaide yesterday showed the defensive unit,which will be improved again if that monster Marcus Adams can get fully fit, is growing in skill and maturity. While a young team such as the Lions will have its ups and downs, they are on the right track. My tip is to watch for a couple of high profile signings come the end of the year - one key forward and one key backman. A shot out out as well to the Gold Coast Suns - not as forward as the Lions - but showing great heart and improvement under Stuart Dew. All in all - great for AFL in Queensland.