- Jul 28, 2021
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- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
Thursday, June 30th The Gabba @ 7:20 PM Brisbane Time
Brisbane Lions (3rd, 10-4) vs. Western Bulldogs (8th, 8-6)
Round 16
The Gabba
Thursday, June 30th
7:20pm
MATCH PREVIEW
‘Pretenders’… It has been a term thrown about a lot this week. Round 15 of the 2022 Home & Away Season will simultaneously be forever written down in infamy and be one that Lions fans will hope to forget. After coming up against the Melbourne Demons in a ‘top of the table blockbuster’, the Lions bowed out with a whimper, being bludgeoned by 64 points at the MCG. The putrid performance left many members of the maroon, blue and gold army throwing in their scarves and ripping up their membership cards, seemingly calling time on 2022. Others have remained steadfast with the Brisbane boys, eager to earn another shot at redemption. Who will be proven right?
One thing is for sure, in Australian Rules Football, there is always another week. Whether you are the victor or the loser, there is always another opportunity to show the competition what you are made of. What will this opportunity reveal in Round 16?
The Brisbane Lions will be desperate to make up for last week with a solid win against the Western Bulldogs in front of their hometown fans. The Lions can get the airy-fairy stuff right this year showing potent scoring power and forcing turnovers. However, last week they simply got beat in the simplistic part of the game, contested football. After seeing solid seasons from the likes of Lachie Neale, Joe Daniher and Hugh McCluggage, almost the entire Lions’ side got their colours lowered last week. The Brisbane Lions would love to get their season back on track by getting some revenge on the Bulldogs side that mercilessly brought their season to end in last year’s semi-final.
For the Western Bulldogs, their shot at redemption has been more of a slow boil than the scolding burn of the Brisbane Lions. The 2021 runners-up were touted by many pundits to go one better in 2022 but suffered a slow start at the beginning of the season (2-4). To their credit, the Dogs have strung some solid wins together, winning four of their last five matches. Luke Beveridge’s side still boasts one of the most talented lists in the competition, especially in the midfield, ranking with the top sides in ‘points from stoppage differential’. However, the Bulldogs’ defence has let them down, ranking in the lowest ebbs for one-on-one losses. With some injuries to key players, the Bulldogs are perhaps doing well to be clawing their way back up into the top eight. How better to stake their claim in making a top eight spot permanent than by serving the Brisbane Lions a heart-breaking loss on their home deck?
PAST RESULTS
1) Semi-final (Gabba)
BL (78) lost to WB (79)
2) R4 – 2021 (Mars Stadium)
WB (73) def BL (54)
3) R11 – 2020 (Gabba)
BL (96) def GC (72)
LAST TIME THEY MET
The last time these two teams met was at the Gabba on Saturday, September 4th, 2021.
This pulsating final had everything and kept it up all the way to the final minute. The Lions kicked out to an 11-point lead at quarter time with Charlie Cameron kicking three goals in the first quarter on former-Footscray skipper Easton Wood. The match was a see-saw affair from there. The wiggle worm score line jumped all over the page as neither team could claim dominance. After trailing at half time, the Lions entered the fourth quarter with a 10-point lead. Hugh McCluggage was best-on-ground for the Brisbane Lions with 28 disposals, 1 goal and 2 goal assists. Jarryd Lyons, Dayne Zorko and Mitch Robinson were also serviceable.
However, it would end in heartbreak for the Brisbane Lions. Jack Macrae proved too damaging, racking up 39 disposals (19 contested). Zac Bailey evened up the score with only minutes left, but a Lions’ win was not meant to be, with Laitham Vandermeer scoring a behind with only seconds remaining. The Western Bulldogs would go on to win by only a point, with their conversion Inside 50 being the main difference between the two sides.
ROUND 15 REVIEW
The whole nation sat and watched the Brisbane Lions drop the ball against the Melbourne Demons on Thursday night, putting together one of their worst ever performances. After winning the first quarter, the Lions went unsighted, being smashed all over the ground in a dismal affair. Hugh McCluggage was the highest-rated Lion, with 27 disposals, but many of these were largely ineffectual under tight pressure. Oscar McInerney was dominant in the ruck with 29 hit outs, however the Lions midfield were well beaten on the night (170-132 contested possessions). In the end, the Lions lost by 64 points.
The Western Bulldogs easily took care of Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Fright night. After trailing for the majority of the first half, the Bulldogs came to life and romped home, keeping Hawthorn scoreless in the 3rd quarter. The 4th quarter was a tighter contest, but in the end, the Bulldogs won by 42 points. Marcus Bontempelli was the highest-rated Bulldog with 27 disposals, 1.2 scoring and 7 tackles. Aaron Naughton was strong up forward, kicking 3 goals.
TALKING POINTS
1. Where to from here?
For many Lions fans, last week was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Unfortunately, Chris Fagen’s group are developing a poor reputation in their big-time performances. Many Brisbane-faithful will wake up in cold sweats from memories such as the lack of an Alex Witherden chase-down tackle against GWS in the dying minutes, a total capitulation against Geelong during a Gabba finals series, a last-minute one-point death at the hands of the Bulldogs, and now the public execution against Melbourne. The Brisbane Lions have done well to pull themselves from the familiar bottom of the ladder, that is unarguable. However, will this successful period forever lack a crowning achievement? Will it be doomed for a chorus of “should haves”, “would haves” and “could haves”? Even a solid victory on Thursday night will not be enough for some. Let us wait and see what this group can provide away from home at the pointy end of the season.
2. Is the time for the ‘Big Three’ forward experimentation to be over?
As the Bulldogs have a wealth of talent in the midfield, the same could be said for the Lion’s forward line. A forward line comprising of Eric Hipwood, Daniel McStay and Joe Daniher should spell danger for the rest of the competition. However, all is not well in the Brisbane forward 50. With the addition of Darcy Fort and the re-entry of Eric Hipwood from an ACL injury, Chris Fagen has a puzzling jigsaw at the selection table. It is fair to say that the full line-up has not gelled so far in 2022, with Dan McStay being pushed to the ruck and wing last week against Melbourne. Is a deep forward line with Hipwood, Daniher and McStay too tall? Can the Big-O ruck all on his own for an entire match? Is using one of the Big Three as a ruck relief undermining their form as a forward? All of these questions remained unanswered going into Thursday night. You would hope that they are fixed by finals.
3. Contested ball
Both sides seemingly suffer from multiple-personality disorder in 2022. On paper, the Lions and the Bulldogs are both midfield powerhouses. After a slow start, the Bulldogs are beginning to resemble the outfit the saw them to the Grand Final last year. Tom Liberatore had a career-day against Hawthorn, earning 30 disposal and 11 clearances. Liberatore is currently averaging a career-high 24.4 disposals and 6.7 clearances. The Brisbane Lions however are Jekyll and Hyde in the midfield. The Lions have Brownlow-favourite Lachie Neale averaging 31.6 disposals, to go along with forever-improving Hugh McCluggage and ‘Mr. Reliable’ Jarryd Lyons. Thursday night will be won and lost in this midfield struggle.
IT'S A BIG GAME FOR...
Zac Bailey
After an elite start to the season, Zac Bailey has hit a form slump in the last month. This slump was capped off with Bailey missing last week with COVID protocol. Although he cannot be blamed for this outage, it would be frustrating for the Lions’ half-forward who would have been wanting to put his skills to the test against the competitions’ best. The Lions similarly missed his usual spark in the engine room. With stories being leaked about Bailey falling asleep in team meetings from late-night Fortnite sessions, fans could be forgiven in wondering whether Bailey will indeed take that next step professionally. It would be huge if Bailey returned with an All-Australian performance against the Bulldogs.
LINEUP CHANGES
Chris Fagen has all but confirmed that Dayne Zorko will return against the Bulldogs on Thursday night. Zac Bailey and Darcy Gardiner should also be fit and ready for selection.
Dary Fort, Callum Ah Chee and Rhys Matheison could also be pushing for selection. Expect to see Jack Payne, Tom Berry and Jimmy Tunstill make way for the returning Lions.
PREDICTION
The Brisbane Lions will come out firing in the 2002 Premiership Anniversary Jerseys, eager to make up for last week’s performance. Possible inaccuracy or Bulldog’s class will claw this game back to an arm wrestle. The Brisbane Lions will run out of petrol tickets and will unfortunately suffer a similar fate to last year’s semi-final.
Western Bulldogs will win by 11
Brisbane Lions (3rd, 10-4) vs. Western Bulldogs (8th, 8-6)
Round 16
The Gabba
Thursday, June 30th
7:20pm
MATCH PREVIEW
‘Pretenders’… It has been a term thrown about a lot this week. Round 15 of the 2022 Home & Away Season will simultaneously be forever written down in infamy and be one that Lions fans will hope to forget. After coming up against the Melbourne Demons in a ‘top of the table blockbuster’, the Lions bowed out with a whimper, being bludgeoned by 64 points at the MCG. The putrid performance left many members of the maroon, blue and gold army throwing in their scarves and ripping up their membership cards, seemingly calling time on 2022. Others have remained steadfast with the Brisbane boys, eager to earn another shot at redemption. Who will be proven right?
One thing is for sure, in Australian Rules Football, there is always another week. Whether you are the victor or the loser, there is always another opportunity to show the competition what you are made of. What will this opportunity reveal in Round 16?
The Brisbane Lions will be desperate to make up for last week with a solid win against the Western Bulldogs in front of their hometown fans. The Lions can get the airy-fairy stuff right this year showing potent scoring power and forcing turnovers. However, last week they simply got beat in the simplistic part of the game, contested football. After seeing solid seasons from the likes of Lachie Neale, Joe Daniher and Hugh McCluggage, almost the entire Lions’ side got their colours lowered last week. The Brisbane Lions would love to get their season back on track by getting some revenge on the Bulldogs side that mercilessly brought their season to end in last year’s semi-final.
For the Western Bulldogs, their shot at redemption has been more of a slow boil than the scolding burn of the Brisbane Lions. The 2021 runners-up were touted by many pundits to go one better in 2022 but suffered a slow start at the beginning of the season (2-4). To their credit, the Dogs have strung some solid wins together, winning four of their last five matches. Luke Beveridge’s side still boasts one of the most talented lists in the competition, especially in the midfield, ranking with the top sides in ‘points from stoppage differential’. However, the Bulldogs’ defence has let them down, ranking in the lowest ebbs for one-on-one losses. With some injuries to key players, the Bulldogs are perhaps doing well to be clawing their way back up into the top eight. How better to stake their claim in making a top eight spot permanent than by serving the Brisbane Lions a heart-breaking loss on their home deck?
PAST RESULTS
1) Semi-final (Gabba)
BL (78) lost to WB (79)
2) R4 – 2021 (Mars Stadium)
WB (73) def BL (54)
3) R11 – 2020 (Gabba)
BL (96) def GC (72)
LAST TIME THEY MET
The last time these two teams met was at the Gabba on Saturday, September 4th, 2021.
This pulsating final had everything and kept it up all the way to the final minute. The Lions kicked out to an 11-point lead at quarter time with Charlie Cameron kicking three goals in the first quarter on former-Footscray skipper Easton Wood. The match was a see-saw affair from there. The wiggle worm score line jumped all over the page as neither team could claim dominance. After trailing at half time, the Lions entered the fourth quarter with a 10-point lead. Hugh McCluggage was best-on-ground for the Brisbane Lions with 28 disposals, 1 goal and 2 goal assists. Jarryd Lyons, Dayne Zorko and Mitch Robinson were also serviceable.
However, it would end in heartbreak for the Brisbane Lions. Jack Macrae proved too damaging, racking up 39 disposals (19 contested). Zac Bailey evened up the score with only minutes left, but a Lions’ win was not meant to be, with Laitham Vandermeer scoring a behind with only seconds remaining. The Western Bulldogs would go on to win by only a point, with their conversion Inside 50 being the main difference between the two sides.
ROUND 15 REVIEW
The whole nation sat and watched the Brisbane Lions drop the ball against the Melbourne Demons on Thursday night, putting together one of their worst ever performances. After winning the first quarter, the Lions went unsighted, being smashed all over the ground in a dismal affair. Hugh McCluggage was the highest-rated Lion, with 27 disposals, but many of these were largely ineffectual under tight pressure. Oscar McInerney was dominant in the ruck with 29 hit outs, however the Lions midfield were well beaten on the night (170-132 contested possessions). In the end, the Lions lost by 64 points.
The Western Bulldogs easily took care of Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Fright night. After trailing for the majority of the first half, the Bulldogs came to life and romped home, keeping Hawthorn scoreless in the 3rd quarter. The 4th quarter was a tighter contest, but in the end, the Bulldogs won by 42 points. Marcus Bontempelli was the highest-rated Bulldog with 27 disposals, 1.2 scoring and 7 tackles. Aaron Naughton was strong up forward, kicking 3 goals.
TALKING POINTS
1. Where to from here?
For many Lions fans, last week was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Unfortunately, Chris Fagen’s group are developing a poor reputation in their big-time performances. Many Brisbane-faithful will wake up in cold sweats from memories such as the lack of an Alex Witherden chase-down tackle against GWS in the dying minutes, a total capitulation against Geelong during a Gabba finals series, a last-minute one-point death at the hands of the Bulldogs, and now the public execution against Melbourne. The Brisbane Lions have done well to pull themselves from the familiar bottom of the ladder, that is unarguable. However, will this successful period forever lack a crowning achievement? Will it be doomed for a chorus of “should haves”, “would haves” and “could haves”? Even a solid victory on Thursday night will not be enough for some. Let us wait and see what this group can provide away from home at the pointy end of the season.
2. Is the time for the ‘Big Three’ forward experimentation to be over?
As the Bulldogs have a wealth of talent in the midfield, the same could be said for the Lion’s forward line. A forward line comprising of Eric Hipwood, Daniel McStay and Joe Daniher should spell danger for the rest of the competition. However, all is not well in the Brisbane forward 50. With the addition of Darcy Fort and the re-entry of Eric Hipwood from an ACL injury, Chris Fagen has a puzzling jigsaw at the selection table. It is fair to say that the full line-up has not gelled so far in 2022, with Dan McStay being pushed to the ruck and wing last week against Melbourne. Is a deep forward line with Hipwood, Daniher and McStay too tall? Can the Big-O ruck all on his own for an entire match? Is using one of the Big Three as a ruck relief undermining their form as a forward? All of these questions remained unanswered going into Thursday night. You would hope that they are fixed by finals.
3. Contested ball
Both sides seemingly suffer from multiple-personality disorder in 2022. On paper, the Lions and the Bulldogs are both midfield powerhouses. After a slow start, the Bulldogs are beginning to resemble the outfit the saw them to the Grand Final last year. Tom Liberatore had a career-day against Hawthorn, earning 30 disposal and 11 clearances. Liberatore is currently averaging a career-high 24.4 disposals and 6.7 clearances. The Brisbane Lions however are Jekyll and Hyde in the midfield. The Lions have Brownlow-favourite Lachie Neale averaging 31.6 disposals, to go along with forever-improving Hugh McCluggage and ‘Mr. Reliable’ Jarryd Lyons. Thursday night will be won and lost in this midfield struggle.
IT'S A BIG GAME FOR...
Zac Bailey
After an elite start to the season, Zac Bailey has hit a form slump in the last month. This slump was capped off with Bailey missing last week with COVID protocol. Although he cannot be blamed for this outage, it would be frustrating for the Lions’ half-forward who would have been wanting to put his skills to the test against the competitions’ best. The Lions similarly missed his usual spark in the engine room. With stories being leaked about Bailey falling asleep in team meetings from late-night Fortnite sessions, fans could be forgiven in wondering whether Bailey will indeed take that next step professionally. It would be huge if Bailey returned with an All-Australian performance against the Bulldogs.
LINEUP CHANGES
Chris Fagen has all but confirmed that Dayne Zorko will return against the Bulldogs on Thursday night. Zac Bailey and Darcy Gardiner should also be fit and ready for selection.
Dary Fort, Callum Ah Chee and Rhys Matheison could also be pushing for selection. Expect to see Jack Payne, Tom Berry and Jimmy Tunstill make way for the returning Lions.
PREDICTION
The Brisbane Lions will come out firing in the 2002 Premiership Anniversary Jerseys, eager to make up for last week’s performance. Possible inaccuracy or Bulldog’s class will claw this game back to an arm wrestle. The Brisbane Lions will run out of petrol tickets and will unfortunately suffer a similar fate to last year’s semi-final.
Western Bulldogs will win by 11
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