Does anyone consider Brisbane to be a serious flag contender ?

[Lions43]

Would have to agree with what most are saying in that we don't have the midfield depth to go with the Dogs, Cats or Saints at this stage.

I think people are being a bit harsh though saying we have beaten nobody, particularly when you consider that in every game so far we have lost a midfielder before half time. There's a lot to be said for winning form and being able to get over the line when you look in serious trouble as we did in weeks one and two. There's no doubt the side has the character.

To answer the OP though, we are not a serious flag chance, we are just a rough chance if we get a fair bit of luck through the year.

Luck can come in the form of injuries obviously and though we are getting a few they seem to be short term at this stage. Whilst nobody wants to see a champ like Riewoldt go down, the cold, hard facts are that Brisbane's (and everyone else's) chances improved when that happened. If Geelong and the Dogs get hit hard and we don't our chances might improve again. As Tiger Woods has said many times you need luck on your side to win a major no matter how good you are.

 

[TempleKelvington]

They have played Carlton and WCE at home and Port Adelaide...so not sure that gives us a decent form line just yet. Too early...but I do think they will be top 8

flag contenders...prob not..need a few more weeks.

 

[Bulldog Joe]

Probably a better handle after this week against the Dogs, even the Dogs have not really played well.

Dogs midfield generally has their measure.

Lake does pretty well against Brown.

Will be interesting to see.

 

[Dan3490]

Depends how they go against the Dogs this week.

 

[lionaround]

The Dogs always seem to have our number, their fast running midfield is too much for Black, Power and Rich.

 

[Zumbido]

I'm with the general trend of this thread - realistically the midfield is where we need to step up to make a real impact at the pointy end of the season. One extra out-and-out gun in there would certainly make things interesting, but you have to factor in that players outside of Victoria are generally undervalued by the vics as well (see Simon Black & the All Australian side)


All being equal though, if there's 5 minutes left in the grand final and scores are tied I'll back a Gun KPF over a Gun Mid to win the game...

 

[skilts]

Our plan is to win a flag in the next 2-3 years. This is a possibility. As has been pointed out, we have a midfield weakness, more in terms of pace, rather than skill. More critically though, we just don't get the footy enough, but this aspect is improving.

If Leuenberger and Clark play enough games together over the next couple of years, they'll be able to feed an improving bunch of young blokes in the guts, who'll be maturing.

The thing above all others which encourages me about my team is their refusal to give up. They display unbounded spirit. This was the reason we played finals last year, and moreso than any other factor, allowed us to win a final.

I'm quite pleased with our progress, and think that Vossy's recruiting decisions have been, so far, vindicated. Nobody knows better than our team the difficulty of winning a flag. So many issues can arise, such as injuries, then the whole plan can go out the door (see Reiwoldt). Therein may lay our real weakness, which is still to be tested - our depth. Time will tell.

Excuse the hideous cliches.

 

[r_boy]

They should try Brown in the centre come finals time he would just run through blokes. Leuenberger/Clark tap to Brown handball off to Rich then penetrating kick to Fevola on the lead.

In answer to the question yes they can win the flag. Anyone with big men like Fevola, Brown, Merrett, Clark etc can win a flag.

 

[kaysee]

...

@ the OP, To be honest, i think we're a behind the top tier teams (WB, Geelong, St Kilda) and we'll need to play out of our skins to really beat those 3 teams. This weeks game is going to be a real test for us. Our midfield is below par and if we are to win a premiership, players such as Redden, Rich, Rockliff and Polkinghorne will have to step up significantly.

You go on bagging my reasons for why Brisbane wont be a serious threat (ie weaker midfield/defence) when compared to the top teams ... and then go on to agree Brisbane are behind those same top teams.

I actually like Brisbane... just giving an honest apprasial.

 

[Bonuspoints]

Yeah I agree that the Lions are a serious contender, but are behind the top 3 (StK, WBD and Cats). IMO how far they go will be on the midfielders shoulders as I think no matter who they play if they can go into the 4th Q close enough, all they need to do is get enough of the footy to Brown and he'll give them a shot at it. Having seen how he ripped that game away from Carlton I think the Lions have the potential to beat any team with the Brownola, Fevathon, twin towers or whatever you want to call it forward combination.

 

[Brad Roo]

They are a chance, but only in a "Bradbury" sense. They won't beat the full or near full strength Cats, Saints or Dogs outfits, but I rate them at the top of the next group of clubs.

 

[wowlace]

Brisbane are a definite top 8. Quite possibly top 4.

As long as they make finals with some form they will def be a flag contender.

So yes I do consider them a contender.

 

[swiftdog]

They'll make top 8, if Fev and Brown go apeshit during finals they'll win the flag. Brown's one of the very few players I think that can single-handedly pull his team over the line during finals.

 

[Crow-mo]

yeah they could give it a shake.

I'd put them above a voldt less saints.

oh and these comments about them having a poor defence are insane.

 

[Silvagnis]

No.

Brent Staker.

I'm with the general trend of this thread - realistically the midfield is where we need to step up to make a real impact at the pointy end of the season. One extra out-and-out gun in there would certainly make things interesting, but you have to factor in that players outside of Victoria are generally undervalued by the vics as well (see Simon Black & the All Australian side)


All being equal though, if there's 5 minutes left in the grand final and scores are tied I'll back a Gun KPF over a Gun Mid to win the game...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aye4no6Wvs

yeah they could give it a shake.

I'd put them above a voldt less saints.

They'll have to beat Geelong.

oh and these comments about them having a poor defence are insane.

Carlton had the same number of scoring shots as Brisbane away, but kicked poorly for goal. Our midfield smashed Brisbane's midfield minus Judd, yet we didn't convert that dominance into inside fifties for the same reason.

Contested possessions: 127 to 104 - Carlton
Clearances: 40 to 28 - Carlton
Inside 50: 50 to 48 - Carlton
Clangers: 40 to 37 - Carlton

Geelong and St Kilda won't make that mistake.

Their midfields, mature rucks and zones will grind them down.

 

[AsianWithAFro]

Could be but I want to see how they go against Geelong, Saints and Dogs before I rest my decesion

 

[BWST]

I don't think that the Lions can challenge for the flag this year, unless they get a top 4 spot & a home Prelim Final. Overall I think they lack a bit of class and matchwinners around the ground.

So you dont regard Brown, Fevola and Black as matchwinners ?

I regard Brisbane as a big threat. Especially with the way things are starting to unfold early. Saints losing Riewoldt. I dont think Geelong are the super power they have been, Hawthorn failing to impress early.

A long way to go, but the Lions odds must be shortening rapidly.

 

[Blues_Man]

No ..they will play finals but don't have the team to go all the way.

 

[Lions1024]

You go on bagging my reasons for why Brisbane wont be a serious threat (ie weaker midfield/defence) when compared to the top teams ... and then go on to agree Brisbane are behind those same top teams.

I actually like Brisbane... just giving an honest apprasial.

Bagging? I was simply dispelling common perceptions that opposition supporters (who obviously haven't watched a lot of Brisbane games) have against our defense. The notion that our defense is a weakness irrates me. It's far and away our strength.

 

[Macca19]

Would depend how their youngsters stand up at finals time. They have the forward line for success, they have probably the defence for it too. It would involve a lot of luck for them to win it this year, but next year I think they will be cherry ripe.

 

[Papa G]

Reckon they are a show. They have a better ruck combination than all of the top teir teams (Don't forget Charman as well). The have 2 x 80 plus a season key forwards. Their backline is solid enough, Maguire gives them some depth in a key position and they seem to have players who can create run like Patfull, Drummond, Brennan. As said before their midfield if anything might lack a bit (but even this is overstated) and good ruckman can help in this area. They will win most at the Gabba, win quite a few away and should be top 4. From there anything can happen.

 

[Lions43]

The Dogs always seem to have our number, their fast running midfield is too much for Black, Power and Rich.

Rich has played 2 games against them.

Black has played very well against the Dogs many times and gotten Brownlow votes on more than one occasion IIRC including last years game where he got 37 possessions and 3 votes. Can't specificaly recall Power's record but no doubt if I looked it up I'd find some good performances.

They do have our number lately there's no doubt. Most of those years though we've been well out of the 8 and they've been a final 8 side so nothing remarkable about that.

Lions had most sides numbers between 2001 and 2004 too but things turn around eventually. The Dogs are still ahead of us I suspect but no doubt we've improved so we'll see how much improvement there has been on Saturday.

 

[tw0kbydesign]

J Brown thinks they are a show - therefore so do I to be honest. I don't recall him being so eager to genuinely make a name for himself. He's already a champion but I get the feeling he wants to etch himself in history. His grandfathers passing has fired him up more than ever I believe, as his grandfather was one of his true heroes. What a corker!

 

[win1soon]

Yep! big chance, absolutley dominating the bulldogs. should have won by 50 +

 

[randyzany]

No chance, it'd take a sporting miracle for them to go all the way with the mids they have. Making the Prelim this year is the best they can do IMO. If they somehow manage to make it to the granny they will get thrashed.