The future at Brisbane is looking a lot sunnier than what it does for Gold Coast
ANDREW HAMILTON, The Courier-Mail
August 12, 2017 8:34pm
DAYNE Beams is the new Lion King and Brisbane once again rule Queensland footy.
And right now the future looks to be theirs, too.
Their 58-point QClash thumping of the Suns screams two things – the Lions are on the march and the Suns are shackled to mediocrity.
The Lions could have torn the heart out of their rivals down the highway with the 22.10 (142) to 12.12 (84) victory at the Gabba – had it not so obviously stopped pumping some time through this wasted year.
RODNEY EADE: I WOULDN’T HAVE TAKEN SUNS JOB
Brisbane had made no secret of the fact they were wary of a Gold Coast reaction to the sacking of coach Rodney Eade but they were not ready.
The visitors flew out of the gates. They dominated the contests but it was their pressure that was most impressive.
Tom Rockliff celebrates one of his three goals. Picture: AAP
Caretaker coach Dean Solomon had demanded during the week his side improve their appetite to hunt the opposition and it changed the look of the Suns.
The pressure in the forward half of the ground was intense and led to repeat inside 50 entries.
Jack Martin kicked three goals in five minutes and looked set for a day out.
It was complete domination and it seemed only some inaccuracy was keeping the Lions in it.
When the siren sounded the Suns had kicked 6.5 with misses from Martin, Ah Chee and Miller that were not hard shots.
The Suns’ 21-point margin actually flattered Brisbane.
At that stage Beams and Lewis Taylor were the only Lions really in the fight.
The second quarter started in similar fashion.
Martin had another two set shots that sailed wide and it started to look like they were in danger of wasting their dominance.
Brisbane’s Ryan Lester is tackled by Jack Martin. Picture: Getty Images
Brisbane sensed this and when they began to equalise the contested footy, their fastball movement troubled the Suns.
The Suns’ press up the ground began to backfire because tackles were not sticking like they had in the first quarter and it created space behind them which Brisbane capitalised on.
The Lions’ bold ball movement is exciting to watch and when the skills pay off, such as Eric Hipwood’s 55-60m kick to Ryan Lester 20m from goal, it is superb. Few sides can defend entries like that.
Lions coach Chris Fagan said the confidence within his side grew every week.
“The belief is growing, it is a slow process and every now and then it takes a hit, but by and large they see themselves as a team that can compete and come to every game expecting to win,’’ he said.
“By and large that has been achieved by the buy-in from the group, the example of our leaders and the passion in which the coaching group goes about their work.
“We have that attitude where you refuse to be beaten or downtrodden and hopefully we keep with that as we try to rise up the ladder.’’
The ball spills between Peter Wright and Harris Andrews. Picture: AAP
The feature of this Lions side, especially in the second half of the year, has been their conversion efficiency.
They take their chances and that was again the case.
In the second quarter they entered the attacking 50 on 15 occasions for 7.2. In comparison the Suns went in 14 times for 2.4.
With a discrepancy like that the Lions were going to run away with the game unless the Suns could once again apply the tackling screws. They couldn’t and the Lions roared.
The third quarter was equal to the first quarter of the season in the opening QClash of 2017.
The Lions were clean and their running game was at another level to the Suns, who must now be questioning their fitness.
The Lions stretched their lead to 33 points by the final change and only the margin remained in doubt.
ANDREW HAMILTON, The Courier-Mail
August 12, 2017 8:34pm
DAYNE Beams is the new Lion King and Brisbane once again rule Queensland footy.
And right now the future looks to be theirs, too.
Their 58-point QClash thumping of the Suns screams two things – the Lions are on the march and the Suns are shackled to mediocrity.
The Lions could have torn the heart out of their rivals down the highway with the 22.10 (142) to 12.12 (84) victory at the Gabba – had it not so obviously stopped pumping some time through this wasted year.
RODNEY EADE: I WOULDN’T HAVE TAKEN SUNS JOB
Brisbane had made no secret of the fact they were wary of a Gold Coast reaction to the sacking of coach Rodney Eade but they were not ready.
The visitors flew out of the gates. They dominated the contests but it was their pressure that was most impressive.
Tom Rockliff celebrates one of his three goals. Picture: AAP
Caretaker coach Dean Solomon had demanded during the week his side improve their appetite to hunt the opposition and it changed the look of the Suns.
The pressure in the forward half of the ground was intense and led to repeat inside 50 entries.
Jack Martin kicked three goals in five minutes and looked set for a day out.
It was complete domination and it seemed only some inaccuracy was keeping the Lions in it.
When the siren sounded the Suns had kicked 6.5 with misses from Martin, Ah Chee and Miller that were not hard shots.
The Suns’ 21-point margin actually flattered Brisbane.
At that stage Beams and Lewis Taylor were the only Lions really in the fight.
The second quarter started in similar fashion.
Martin had another two set shots that sailed wide and it started to look like they were in danger of wasting their dominance.
Brisbane’s Ryan Lester is tackled by Jack Martin. Picture: Getty Images
Brisbane sensed this and when they began to equalise the contested footy, their fastball movement troubled the Suns.
The Suns’ press up the ground began to backfire because tackles were not sticking like they had in the first quarter and it created space behind them which Brisbane capitalised on.
The Lions’ bold ball movement is exciting to watch and when the skills pay off, such as Eric Hipwood’s 55-60m kick to Ryan Lester 20m from goal, it is superb. Few sides can defend entries like that.
Lions coach Chris Fagan said the confidence within his side grew every week.
“The belief is growing, it is a slow process and every now and then it takes a hit, but by and large they see themselves as a team that can compete and come to every game expecting to win,’’ he said.
“By and large that has been achieved by the buy-in from the group, the example of our leaders and the passion in which the coaching group goes about their work.
“We have that attitude where you refuse to be beaten or downtrodden and hopefully we keep with that as we try to rise up the ladder.’’
The ball spills between Peter Wright and Harris Andrews. Picture: AAP
The feature of this Lions side, especially in the second half of the year, has been their conversion efficiency.
They take their chances and that was again the case.
In the second quarter they entered the attacking 50 on 15 occasions for 7.2. In comparison the Suns went in 14 times for 2.4.
With a discrepancy like that the Lions were going to run away with the game unless the Suns could once again apply the tackling screws. They couldn’t and the Lions roared.
The third quarter was equal to the first quarter of the season in the opening QClash of 2017.
The Lions were clean and their running game was at another level to the Suns, who must now be questioning their fitness.
The Lions stretched their lead to 33 points by the final change and only the margin remained in doubt.
