AFL 2019 Round 1: Brisbane v West Coast, 7:20pm AEST GABBA

[Gralin]

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Where and when: The Gabba, Saturday March 23, 7.20pm (AEST).

Brisbane Forecast

Partly cloudy. Medium (40%) chance of showers during the morning and afternoon. Light winds.

Last time they met: The Gabba, round 23, 2018: West Coast 14.14 (98) defeated Brisbane 11.6 (72).
With a week-one home final up for grabs, the Eagles methodically took care of the Lions to finish in second position after the home-and-away matches. Luke Shuey and Jack Redden were the midfield architects while Jack Darling and Jamie Cripps were dangerous forward.

What it means for Brisbane: After huge strides in 2018 and an off-season full of optimism with some quality signings, the Lions would love to show their fans they're on the path to improvement again this year.

What it means for West Coast: Every premier wants to start its flag defence with a win, and this will be no easy task. The Eagles were great on the road in 2018 and want to start that way again.

How Brisbane wins: On a fast Gabba surface, its best chance of an upset is speed. The Lions have to win their share of ball in tight and then move it quickly by hand, foot or by using their legs.

How West Coast wins: The blueprint from the final round last year was to suffocate the Lions. If the Eagles set up well defensively they can generate enough turnovers to punish their younger opponents.

The stat: West Coast has won the past eight games in this match-up, not losing since 2012. The average winning margin has been 50 points. Only captain Dayne Zorko, Daniel Rich and Ryan Lester remain on Brisbane's list from that victory. Jack Redden played that day too – now he's an Eagle.

The match-up: Josh Walker v Jack Darling
Darling (116th overall in the AFL's Official Player Ratings) broke free from a quiet patch with four goals in the final round against Walker last season. The Lion, ranked 363rd after an inconsistent couple of seasons, must turn the tables if his team is to spring a surprise.

Shannon Hurn will captain the Eagles for the 100th time this week. Picture: AFL Photos

It’s a big week for: Shannon Hurn
It might not mean much to the premiership skipper just yet, but Hurn will lead out the Eagles for the 100th time on Saturday. He'll become just the fourth player to achieve the feat behind John Worsfold, Darren Glass and Ben Cousins.

Big call: Lachie Neale tops 35 disposals in his first game in Brisbane colours.

Prediction: Eagles by 17 points

Source: AFL Website

 

[Xtreme]

Eagles should win by 42 points and most importantly take home the chocolates

 

[Chief]

Gameday chat room now open: https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/chat/room/brisbane-lions-v-west-coast-rd-1.29/ - All chat messages stream to the Gameday thread at https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/thre...v-west-coast-7-20pm-aest-gabba.1214188/unread

 

[Sausages]

LIONS
LIONS
LIONS
LIONS
LIONS

 

[Isaac Cumming No 1]

It must be good for Lions to go to the footy with some optimism this year. I like what they're building and Fagan seems to have a grip on managing the improvement.

West Coast are an awesome team though and actually look better after showing some very promising talent in the JLT games. Lycett gone is the only query given their gameplan regarding rucks.

This might be a step too far for the Lions just yet. West Coast by 50 points.

 

[ep2018]

Last time we went in with such an inexperienced forward line we got smacked by Essendon at home.

 

[Sausages]

It must be good for Lions to go to the fiity with some optimism thus year. I like what they're building and Fagan seems to have a grip on managing the improvement.

West Coast are an awesome team though and actually look better after showing some very promising talent in the JLT games. Lycett gone is the only query given their gameplan regarding rucks.

This might be a step too far for the Lions just yet. West Coast by 50 points.

Sometimes I like what you write IC - this post, however, falls short of your lofty standards

 

[Power Raid]

Anything can happen round 1

good luck Lions but the Eagles by 24

 

[Ray Donovan]

Good test for Brisbane to see exactly where they are at. Looked a side on the way up last year. West Coast pretty comfortably one of the most interesting games today though

 

[EagleMan87]

Last time we went in with such an inexperienced forward line we got smacked by Essendon at home.

We were missing Darling as well as Kennedy in that game, we won plenty with just Darling.

 

[bungalow_bill]

I'm thinking Lions off to a quick start before the Eagles reel them in and win by about 3 goals.

 

[Makka]

Danger game for West Coast first up. I imagine Lions will look for early scoreboard pressure.

 

[kranky al]

I think anyone who underrates the lions this year will get a shock

They seriously have head and shoulders the best recruiting / talentspotting team in the business.

And now they arent leaking players this year it will come together a bit more for them. Be surprised if they arent around the eight this year.

 

[Barrybran]

GAGF Blions fans, especially you Sausages.

In all seriousness, this should be a good game. Looking forward to Brisbane's young players taking another step and the defense solidifying with another preseason under Hodgey's tutelage. I think we should be able to control the midfield though which will make things tough for the young Lions to contain JK/Darling. And then there's our defense...

 

[SirKarl0s]

Looking forward to this, I'm expecting Brisbane to take a big step forward this year. A first up win against us will be a massive boost for them.

 

[Lynch takes a mark]

Shorter preseason, lacking a few regular players and Brisbane gaining a few new ones

Brisbane by 32

 

[Sausages]

GAGF Blions fans, especially you Sausages.

In all seriousness, this should be a good game. Looking forward to Brisbane's young players taking another step and the defense solidifying with another preseason under Hodgey's tutelage. I think we should be able to control the midfield though which will make things tough for the young Lions to contain JK/Darling. And then there's our defense...

Stare into the abyss Barrybran

 

[wce4premiership]

This could be close, the Eagles have a very inexperienced forward line, what I'd consider the less consistent type players who've yet to stake a claim to being best 22.

The midfield and defence will need to stand strong. I'll be disappointed if we lose, seeing how Collingwood and Melbourne both lost I'd like to get one in the bank.

Eagles by 11

 

[Barrybran]

Stare into the abyss Barrybran

I tried that. All I saw was this...

 

[Sausages]

I tried that. All I saw was this...

That's SOOOOOOO 2018

 

[Barrybran]

That's SOOOOOOO 2018

You know what's not so 2018? Willie Rioli with more space.

 

[Smartest Brain]

Given the upsets Brisbane may win this one. Low scoring slog in the coming mist.

 

[CarloLion]

You know what's not so 2018? Willie Rioli with more space.

Pity he aint playing! Like half the rest of your team Lions by 67.

 

[Barrybran]

Pity he aint playing! Like half the rest of your team Lions by 67.

Good point. Time for Petrol Jelly to shine!

 

[bzparkes]

Given the upsets Brisbane may win this one. Low scoring slog in the coming mist.

Not sure the results of other games will affect the result of this one in all honesty.