Brisbane was thumped to the tune of 48 points by Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium last Saturday. The Lions are currently in sixth spot with an 8-6 win-loss record.
Geelong’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end when they went down to St Kilda by six points in an epic contest at Etihad Stadium last Sunday.
MEDICAL ROOM: Brisbane defender Josh Drummond returns from a calf injury but Troy Selwood (shoulder) and Matthew Leuenberger (knee) remain on the sidelines while ruckman Jamie Charman has been ruled out for the rest of the year with an ankle injury. Geelong’s loss to St Kilda has been made worse with Cameron Ling (knee), Matthew Scarlett (back), James Kelly (hamstring), Darren Milburn (ankle), Gary Ablett (calf) and Travis Varcoe (shoulder soreness) all sidelined. David Wojcinski has recovered from a calf injury and will play but ruckman Brad Ottens (knee) is two to three weeks away. David Johnson (calf) is two weeks from returning while Josh Hunt (knee), Matthew Egan (foot) and youngster Mitch Brown (leg) are out for the season.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Cheynee Stiller vs. James Bartel
Bartel played arguably his best game of the season last weekend, helping himself to 37 possessions – 20 of which were by hand.
The 2007 Brownlow medallist is highly effective at winning the football in close and using it cleanly by hand to find his teammates in space.
Shutting him down will be a key for the Lions if they are going to have any hope of starving Geelong’s forward line of quality supply.
Stiller has been given some big negating roles so far this season and will most likely be given the job of running with Bartel on Saturday night.
The Lions will need Stiller to apply relentless pressure all night and deny Bartel any time or space at the stoppages.
Max Rooke vs. Simon Black
Black managed just 18 possessions in the loss to the Power – well down on his season average of 25 disposals per game.
The classy Lions veteran rarely has two bad games in a row and will need to be watched closely.
The Cats will be keen to limit his influence on the contest as it will help them contain Brisbane’s two star forwards in Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw.
With Ling unavailable you would expect Rookie to be given the job of tagging Black in what shapes as being a pivotal duel in determining the outcome of this match.
Expect Rooke, who is strong overhead and has kicked 15 goals so far this season, to push forward at every available opportunity and try and take the 2002 Brownlow medallist out of his comfort zone.
Joel Macdonald vs. Cameron Mooney
Mooney was instrumental in the win over the Lions early in the year with 22 possessions, 10 marks, three goals and three goal assists.
With Merrett and Patfull still out of the side you would expect Macdonald to be given first crack at Mooney.
In the round five clash the Cats were able to enter inside their forward line a staggering 75 times.
The Brisbane midfield will need to be switched on at the stoppages and also suffocate Geelong’s run with their pressure skills otherwise the likes of Mooney will feast on silver service all night.
Harry Taylor vs. Daniel Bradshaw
Bradshaw was held goalless when these two sides met earlier in the year and will be keen to bounce back with a big performance.
Scarlett kept Bradshaw quiet that day but with him out of the side you would expect Taylor to be given first crack at the Lions veteran.
If Brisbane is able to get the football quickly into the forward line Bradshaw will fancy his chances of winning his duel with Taylor who won’t receive the same level of support in defence.
However, if the Lions aren’t direct with their use of the football the Cats will be able to push numbers back and rebound the football out of defensive 50 at will.
VERDICT: This is Brisbane’s best chance to record a rare win against Geelong given the Cats are missing 1010 games of experience. If the Lions are able to break even in the middle you would expect Jonathan Brown and Bradshaw to be able to kick enough goals against an undermanned Geelong backline to help their side to a valuable win.
Lions by 14 points.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
The Southport defender clapped his hands as the kick was taken, which the umpire seemed to think was the ball hitting his hands -…
"You want your key forward to be a beast."
We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
It is time that the tribunal became more simplistic, closed defence loopholes, and became representative of the game that it is trying to serve.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has defended the AFL Tribunal's controversial decision to overturn star forward Charlie Cameron's one-match suspension for a dangerous tackle, as…
There’s a slight disconnect between the data, the record and the eye test for the Brisbane Lions to start season 2024. This week, Champion…
