- Oct 4, 2016
- 322
- 1,028
- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
Oh my. From 1-2 to 6-2 … in the blink of an eye.
We overcame a little test on Friday night, even if the narrative will be about Carlton underperforming. As a Melbourne based supporter, I have seen my fair share of primetime flops. So it was a really solid win on a Friday night, enriched by the disdain of Blues’ supporters.
We started the match with great intent. Carlton fought back in the first quarter to make it a high scoring one. In the second, things were much tighter and we failed to capitalise on territory with some disappointing misses. But in the third, we were able to use Charlie deeper, piling on five goals to none that set up a great win. Although we didn’t close things out, the game was largely in control.
Josh Dunkley: Goodness gracious, what a superstar performance (33 disposals, 13 tackles). His presence when the ball was in contest was huge (!). And to go have such an impact in his close out role. Another bonus with Dunkley is his overhead marking, which we used as a bail out more than once.
Andrews and Payne: This was a premier defensive performance against the premier tall forward line in the league. Before the game, we felt if we could keep McKay and Curnow to less than half a dozen goals we should be able to kick a winning score - and the key backs delivered. We all know how Payne has been building. Many forgot how well his kicking performed in the combine; he just needed more experience to improve his decision making. Both players were very noticeable at the game.
Honourable mentions; Bailey (with four goals) and McCluggage (27 touches) both had a few more elite moments. It’s been a slow ‘build’, but things are getting better each week.
Aerial work: With the exception of Payne and Andrews, live at the game it felt like we were beaten in the air many times going forward. I don’t have any stats to back this up. Danniher and Hipwood seemed solid, but I would sleep easier if we could clunk a few more contested marks.
Follow up, follow up, follow up: Our defensive pressure and ability to break up handball chains was great. However a few times we’d done really well to half the contest when they were building through the middle, only to let them out easily again (exposing our backline).
After a poor season last year, Essendon have the luxury of playing with little to lose. Scott seems to have focused on the defence, with turnovers less costly than they were last year. The midfield seems to have better structure and cohesion, buoyed by Stringer who is fit and the newly added Setterfield. Draper and Phillips (created from the DNA of Francis before he left) have formed a strong ruck combination, both able to drift forward and cover the loss of Wright.
Essendon made a good start winning three of their first four (albeit over Gold Coast, GWS and Hawthorn), followed by a big win against Melbourne. Since then though, they have had honourable ANZAC day loss, were exposed early against Geelong (before fighting back to stay with them) and close loss to Port.
Bombers 12.10 (82) vs Lions 15.18 (108) | 29 Sep 01 | MCG
It was a grand final baby! We faffed around in the first half, but played a premiership quarter in the third.
With Zorko and Rich still a few weeks away, my prediction is Robertson for Sharp. But I have no idea.
I think we will win. I really do. Putting aside that strange one last year, we’ve had the wood on Essendon during our strong period and I see no change.
Lions by 27.
We overcame a little test on Friday night, even if the narrative will be about Carlton underperforming. As a Melbourne based supporter, I have seen my fair share of primetime flops. So it was a really solid win on a Friday night, enriched by the disdain of Blues’ supporters.
We started the match with great intent. Carlton fought back in the first quarter to make it a high scoring one. In the second, things were much tighter and we failed to capitalise on territory with some disappointing misses. But in the third, we were able to use Charlie deeper, piling on five goals to none that set up a great win. Although we didn’t close things out, the game was largely in control.
What’s Hot
Charlie Cameron: There's no unique insight here. Charlie is kicking lots of goals right now (26 for the season). It seems for Brisbane, our best way to avoid inaccurate goal kicking is to get it to Charlie within 15m of the goal line.
Josh Dunkley: Goodness gracious, what a superstar performance (33 disposals, 13 tackles). His presence when the ball was in contest was huge (!). And to go have such an impact in his close out role. Another bonus with Dunkley is his overhead marking, which we used as a bail out more than once.
Andrews and Payne: This was a premier defensive performance against the premier tall forward line in the league. Before the game, we felt if we could keep McKay and Curnow to less than half a dozen goals we should be able to kick a winning score - and the key backs delivered. We all know how Payne has been building. Many forgot how well his kicking performed in the combine; he just needed more experience to improve his decision making. Both players were very noticeable at the game.
Honourable mentions; Bailey (with four goals) and McCluggage (27 touches) both had a few more elite moments. It’s been a slow ‘build’, but things are getting better each week.
Growth Areas
Brain fades: Yet again, we let what was a comfortable win become a little tense. We’ve seen this with Melbourne this year (and games like Richmond and Carlton last) where we can have huge leads run down. A win’s still a win, but I don’t want opposition to have belief late in clutch games.Aerial work: With the exception of Payne and Andrews, live at the game it felt like we were beaten in the air many times going forward. I don’t have any stats to back this up. Danniher and Hipwood seemed solid, but I would sleep easier if we could clunk a few more contested marks.
Follow up, follow up, follow up: Our defensive pressure and ability to break up handball chains was great. However a few times we’d done really well to half the contest when they were building through the middle, only to let them out easily again (exposing our backline).
Opposition Watch
And on to Essendon now, who we will meet for the first time with their new coach: old mate Brad Scott.
After a poor season last year, Essendon have the luxury of playing with little to lose. Scott seems to have focused on the defence, with turnovers less costly than they were last year. The midfield seems to have better structure and cohesion, buoyed by Stringer who is fit and the newly added Setterfield. Draper and Phillips (created from the DNA of Francis before he left) have formed a strong ruck combination, both able to drift forward and cover the loss of Wright.
Essendon made a good start winning three of their first four (albeit over Gold Coast, GWS and Hawthorn), followed by a big win against Melbourne. Since then though, they have had honourable ANZAC day loss, were exposed early against Geelong (before fighting back to stay with them) and close loss to Port.
Recent and/or memorable* match ups against the bombers
* As defined by what I remember.Lions 13.12 (90) vs Bombers 15.10 (100) | 10th Jul 22 | Gabba
The second time we played last year, we knew Essendon were pretty shizen. But we were decimated by Coronavrius and injury and had to make upteen changes. The frustrating thing was that our midfield was not that impacted, and yet we were totally smashed in the middle. They had a bunch of easy centre clearance wins that resulted in goals. The highlight was Michael Carter’s goal.Bombers 10.15 (75) vs Lions 15.7 (97) | 26th Mar 22 | Marvel
The first time we played last year, expectations were high of Essendon and we didn’t yet know they were shizen. In retrospect it looked like an ‘easier’ win. They were good in the first and didn’t take their chances. We fought back in the second but then my 4yo had a melt down and I was pretty distracted. Luckily, my wife took him home and the lions got a four goal win.Bombers 17.10 (112) vs Lions 9.11 (65) | 13th Apr 19 | MCG
We had started the season so well (3-0) and we headed to the ‘G with a sense of wonderment and excitement. Then McDonald-Tipungwuti kicks 7 and it was an utter shellacking. (We lost to Collingwood the next week before having a great run home).Bombers 12.14 (86) vs Lions 14.12 (96) | 18th May 13 | Colonial Stadium
I know this was a while ago but I was getting used to seeing the Lions lose in Melbourne and then we pulled out this unexpected win. Zorko stars and Brent Staker makes his comeback, scoring the winning goal.Bombers 12.10 (82) vs Lions 15.18 (108) | 29 Sep 01 | MCG
It was a grand final baby! We faffed around in the first half, but played a premiership quarter in the third.
What to expect
As always we don’t expect huge changes after a win. Fagan obviously wanted Harry Sharp’s running on Friday. He made some large errors early but got better as the game went on. Answerth had great attack in defence (at both ends) but his disposal is still iffy. Lyons may be closing to starting in the 22 and having another player as the sub (and then getting a bunch of the ball Saturday morning). Lester has looked settled in the battle for the third tall (with Joyce and Gardiner). Matho and Fort were big again in the 2s, Lohmann had impact and Dev is always pushing for selection. Tunstill and Prior were a bit quiet.With Zorko and Rich still a few weeks away, my prediction is Robertson for Sharp. But I have no idea.
I think we will win. I really do. Putting aside that strange one last year, we’ve had the wood on Essendon during our strong period and I see no change.
Lions by 27.
