Review Round 6, 2026 - Melbourne vs. Brisbane Lions

[The Zork]

It just felt like some real shockers went against us that would've been put under the microscope if we were a headline grabbing struggling team.

But we’re not, we’re a team that most, the media/afl landscape want us to fail.

We’re a team that opposition are always going to be conditioned to really get revved up for being the benchmark and Melbourne were that today and well done to them.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Whatever happened to 'dancing on thin ice'?

The Lions played way too conservatively against a team who wanted it more for three and a half quarters, then threw off the shackles with insufficient time left. All credit to Melbourne for their sustained pressure.

We had something like 75 marks to half time, but mostly safe kicks rather than damaging ones - missed Zorko perhaps?

Was hoping Kiddy would step up and do that but never happened, He was more of a lockdown today with Wilmott doing the Zorks role. Unfortunately for us Darcy's kicking is no good for that.

 

[RoyBoy17]

Umpire 28 in particular had an absolute mare. That goal square free kick was ridiculous and a key moment in the game.

Other than that they edged the midfield second half and made most of their chances.

Thought Chandler killed us. We didn’t get that sort of quality from guys like Bailey and Rayner.

Umpiring was dross but you can’t expect to win with so many having poor to average games.

They were much more even across the board.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Answerth out against the Crows is a worry. Their smalls could have a good time if our pressure is predictably pathetic

Not on today’s form. A chance for Brain. I wonder if Marshall comes into calculations after today.

 

[luthor]

Johno would’ve buried him; I doubt you saw every game of that Lions era with a foolish statement like that.

Well I saw every game of that era and I don't recall Johno being renowned for his crunching run down tackles, so I don't think it's a foolish statement at all.

Chris Jonson was an attacking back pocket style player, clever, slick and elusive with the ability to set up play downfield with run and carry and .a beautiful low penetrating kick.

Almost a hybrid of Zorko and Wilmott at their very best.

You may have different recollections.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

This is a team that got smacked by Essendon and we’re losing to that?

After how well Essendon played yesterday, I have no doubt they’ll give themselves every chance of winning.

Even that is the difference between our 00s teams. Despite winning the past two flags, I feel most teams aren’t intimidated by our current team, hence why we regularly lose to lowly teams or only barely beat them. Opposition clubs back in the 00s had resigned themselves to losing before they stepped out into the ground such was the presence of that group. No one fears our current group and it is credit to the group also that they’ve managed to win a few flags despite it.

You can be the most skilled team in the comp but if you don't apply pressure or soak it up, you're at risk of losing. Melbourne went hard all day. Every ground ball contest they attacked with purpose. We didn't go anywhere near as hard as we could have. I'm really disappointed in Zac today. His defensive work was not acceptable. He also lost his feet far to often.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

It's still got me stuffed how we came so close to pinching this game.
So many players down, rough end of some umpiring, missed simple set shots and snaps, poor tackling, out run, lots of sub-par kicks and handballs.
It felt like we were a 6 goal worse team out there today.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

Agree.

Zac has been good for the first 5 games but had an off day today. He wasn't alone.

Also, should have got a free directly in front for Pickett's blatant rugby tackle around the ankles, that was inexplicably ruled as HTB

This Bailley bashing smacks of scapegoating

It's not his fault if he has big contract offers in front of him.

Impugning his character because he has an off game is poor form.

I get what you are saying but honestly his effort today was putrid. This is from watching him live, at one point one of the defenders ran to the pocket to defend, think it was Frog, he pointed for Bailey to fill a hole- he ran off shaking his head. Another contest on the wing, he let 2 Melbourne players run straight past him and he trailed in and it cost us a goal. There was another in the centre where he had to put his head over it, he stuck a boot out and a Melbourne midfielder ran through picked it up and ran off. I not writing him off but he could have been the difference today if he wanted to be. He did not care- at all.

 

[Nathan Barley]

It's still got me stuffed how we came so close to pinching this game.
So many players down, rough end of some umpiring, missed simple set shots and snaps, poor tackling, out run, lots of sub-par kicks and handballs.
It felt like we we're a 6 goal worse team out there today.

Melbourne had some really shocking turnovers and not just the ones from petty

 

[twhowler]

A quarter of the season down. I am torn on where we are at:

IT WILL ALL BE FINE

We don't always start strongly, and could be 4-1

We have had 3 long seasons and a few key players with surgery yet to hit their straps

Our draw is better this year

The recruits are fit and look like they will deliver

THIS IS AN OFF YEAR

We are getting teams transition way too easily off half back. It seems structural to me with how often it's happening

And added to this - will it mean our secret weapon in being great at the g is gone? We just didn't seem to relish the space today like we have

We don't seem to be putting the foot down when it matters - even in 2/3 wins we have had the oppo right in it deep in the last. That's a very taxing way to play

Injuries are mounting - we have a few out long term, and now another short term crisis that could mean we drop games when we need to bank them

hunger is off - yes it was last year. But just because we flicked the switch then it doesn't mean we can again. We were only half a game out of the top 4.

AS FOR TODAY

Did anyone see Fages? Would love to know if we had more players Ill. It certainly looked like it. Could not believe how passive we looked in a big milestone game

Clugga and dunks and Bailey shockers. Hard to win from that position

we cost ourselves but the umps cost us a fair chance to win in the last 45 minutes. Got slaughtered from then on.

Next week we'll be without: Payne, Gardiner, Hipwood, Zorko, Answerth, Berry, Reville.

At least Marshall gets a go.

Brain deserves a shot too.

 

[Squizz89]

I get what you are saying but honestly his effort today was putrid. This is from watching him live, at one point one of the defenders ran to the pocket to defend, think it was Frog, he pointed for Bailey to fill a hole- he ran off shaking his head. Another contest on the wing, he let 2 Melbourne players run straight past him and he trailed in and it cost us a goal. There was another in the centre where he had to put his head over it, he stuck a boot out and a Melbourne midfielder ran through picked it up and ran off. I not writing him off but he could have been the difference today if he wanted to be. He did not care- at all.

Yeah he’s a watch over the next few weeks for me. Started the season fine but some of his efforts today looked at best like he didn’t want to be there and at worst a big FU to the group.

I wonder if he’s slightly pissed off with some of the others seemingly putting a bit of pressure on him lately with some comments in the media about taking less money for the group and staying to chase flags.

Fages and Dunks had a bit of a go this week from memory. We need to be careful we don’t let that distract from the group and also him as an individual.

 

[luthor]

It's still got me stuffed how we came so close to pinching this game.
So many players down, rough end of some umpiring, missed simple set shots and snaps, poor tackling, out run, lots of sub-par kicks and handballs.
It felt like we we're a 6 goal worse team out there today.

Didn't feel like that to me.

Close game that could have gone either way. 27 scores to 24

Melbourne played as well as they can, we played well in patches. losing Berry hurt us much more than them losing Petty who was a liability for them all day.

We got the rough end of the pineapple with the umpiring no doubt. At least four dodgy decisions that either directly gifted them goals or directly cost us goals.

The 50 against Lester, the non-50 to Logan for a dangerous and late tackle, the HTB against Bailey when Pickett tackled him around the ankles and the mysterious decision to make Logan take his kick again after he had marked, played on and goaled. Why does a "review" after the fact mean he has to go back to the mark and kick the ball again?

Anyway, it's not panic stations yet.

Although, if we continue to rack up the injuries at the current rate. the season could easily slip away in a hurry.

 

[Lockie]

Lachie said this week during an interview that as yet there was no theme for the year but thought they look at that around mid year. I reckon we need one now. We can’t have this belief that we can turn it on when we want to and be drinking our own bath water. We are the hunted and have been for a number of years and we’ve had reduced pre seasons as being grand finalist and perhaps that’s impacting on players bodies and an increase in injuries.

 

[3KZ is Football]

I must have missed his CBA. What % was he ?

Rayner went to the restart 3 times and was a witches hat.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Lachie said this week during an interview that as yet there was no theme for the year but thought they look at that around mid year. I reckon we need one now. We can’t have this belief that we can turn it on when we want to and be drinking our own bath water. We are the hunted and have been for a number of years and we’ve had reduced pre seasons as being grand finalist and perhaps that’s impacting on players bodies and an increase in injuries.

Pull yer fingers out?

 

[twhowler]

Was hoping Kiddy would step up and do that but never happened, He was more of a lockdown today with Wilmott doing the Zorks role. Unfortunately for us Darcy's kicking is no good for that.

Yeah we just seemed to get lost in our kick mark game. Need to take the game on more. Oddly when we did it it usually worked but we still seemed reluctant

 

[briztoon]

Missed the game. What happened to Berry?

 

[Paul Mac]

Umpire 28 in particular had an absolute mare. That goal square free kick was ridiculous and a key moment in the game.

Other than that they edged the midfield second half and made most of their chances.

Thought Chandler killed us. We didn’t get that sort of quality from guys like Bailey and Rayner.

Umpiring was dross but you can’t expect to win with so many having poor to average games.

They were much more even across the board.

Interesting it was his second game he umpired this weekend. Obvioulsy a late out in todays game had him doing todays as well.

 

[Elixuh]

Missed the game. What happened to Berry?

Calf

 

[HereIGoAgain]

I find watching Fagan's post match interviews oddly calming after a game like this. It hasn't always been like that but he is really at the top of his game these days. A snapshot of relevant stats, no spin and an injury update. Topped off with the obligatory I didn't see that so I couldn't possibly comment. Most importantly no signs of panic and always backs his players publicly and often gives credit to players that dont get noticed by the media. The ability to preempt possible contentious lines of questioning also indicates that he is tuned in to whatever current dramas are getting thrown around in the media and social media landscape.

 

[RU_]

Still shitty, games like this have such a habit of ruining the weekend.

 

[Toffee Lion]

Still shitty, games like this have such a habit of ruining the weekend.

Weekend was ruined, luckily it's now Monday!

 

[PTizzle]

Even if the result was disappointing Charlie's goal in the last was ridiculous. Got me out of my seat.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I find watching Fagan's post match interviews oddly calming after a game like this. It hasn't always been like that but he is really at the top of his game these days. A snapshot of relevant stats, no spin and an injury update. Topped off with the obligatory I didn't see that so I couldn't possibly comment. Most importantly no signs of panic and always backs his players publicly and often gives credit to players that dont get noticed by the media. The ability to preempt possible contentious lines of questioning also indicates that he is tuned in to whatever current dramas are getting thrown around in the media and social media landscape.

Interesting too in that Fages mentioned it was one of our lowest pressure games.
That was a recurrent frustration expressed in a lot of posts in the Game Day thread.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I find watching Fagan's post match interviews oddly calming after a game like this. It hasn't always been like that but he is really at the top of his game these days. A snapshot of relevant stats, no spin and an injury update. Topped off with the obligatory I didn't see that so I couldn't possibly comment. Most importantly no signs of panic and always backs his players publicly and often gives credit to players that dont get noticed by the media. The ability to preempt possible contentious lines of questioning also indicates that he is tuned in to whatever current dramas are getting thrown around in the media and social media landscape.

He sure is; a total pro.
You are spot on about him always backing the players publicy (and I'm confident that it would be no different privately).

Still, us supporters on here watch the footy pretty closely, and several top line players had uncharacteristically ordinary games.
We were a fair way off anywhere near our best today (yesterday) and Melbourne were good enough to take advantage of that.