The chemistry between Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood continues to grow as Brisbane defied key injuries to notch a third-straight AFL win.
Chris Fagan’s new-look forward line is beginning to reap rewards as Brisbane hit their AFL straps without a number of their biggest names.
The Lions (4-3) thumped Port Adelaide (5-2) by 49 points at the Gabba on Saturday night in a statement win against the premiership contenders without Lachie Neale, Jarrod Berry and Darcy Gardiner.
Essendon recruit Daniher was again dominant early, roaming in both directions as he and fellow left-footed tall forward Eric Hipwood found each other to set up telling first-quarter goals.
First Daniher found Hipwood on the wing, who bombed to a strong-marking Dan McStay for the opening goal.
Then Hipwood found Daniher, who kicked the first of his two goals in an efficient first-quarter coach Fagan credited to his defence’s ability to shut down Port’s repeated forward 50 entries.
“They’re learning every week to play together well,” Fagan said of the pair.
“Charlie (Cameron, with four goals) was the lucky one tonight and Joe’s made a big difference making Eric and Dan more dangerous.
“It (their effectiveness linking from centre half-forward) was sort of a bit missing when McStay was out but now he’s back its come into our play.”
Fagan also lauded All Australian fullback Harris Andrews’ bounce back after Carlton key forward Harry McKay kicked six goals last week.
“It was exactly what you’d expect from him. He’s one of the finest characters I’ve met in football and was totally disappointed with his game last week,” he said.
“He responded like champion players do.”
The Lions are due to travel to Perth to play Fremantle on Sunday.
That game could be played at the Gabba – a straight swap given the teams are due to meet in Brisbane later this season – after a Perth hotel quarantine worker and two housemates tested positive to COVID-19 on Saturday.
Berry and Gardiner could both return for that clash but Fagan said the Lions had shown they could operate effectively without their full complement.
“If we had of lost it would be like ‘do you miss Lachie Neale?’ Of course we do,” Fagan said.
“But this game last year Dayne Zorko didn’t play or Stef Martin; we’ve been able to find a way to win.
“Hopefully we’re becoming a good team and that’s what it is you do.”
© AAP
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