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3KZ is Football
🏆 🦍 RZSS Curator of Sticks and Stuff.
- Jun 17, 2008
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IS THE LID OFF?
Many of us have taken the lid off after our 44 point drubbing of the reigning Premier on Saturday night, but there are still plenty of supporters who have been scarred by false dawns and our erratic form, particularly in Melbourne. People should remember that there is a difference between the lid being off for some supporters and THE LID BEING OFFICIALLY OFF, which it isn't yet. With that in mind, it is worth looking at our last two games against North Melbourne to sober some of us up a bit.
Round 11 2018 - Docklands Stadium
Nth. Melbourne
5.7.37 - 12.9.81 - 16.14.110 - 21.15.141
Brisbane
0.4.4 - 3.8.26 - 7.11.53 - 12.15.87
Round 20 2018 - Gabba
Brisbane
6.0.36 - 9.2.50 - 13.4.82 - 16.8.104
Nth. Melbourne
5.1.31 - 12.6.78 - 14.9.93 - 16.11.107
Round 11 last year was a shocker for Lions supporters as Brisbane came to Melbourne and gave their supporters absolutely nothing. In one of the most supine performances ever witnessed by the Lions faithful, Brisbane just simply didn't turn up. The game was effectively over at quarter time. The Lions got absolutely murdered out of the middle, with Shaun Higgins collecting a lazy 38 disposals. Simply put, we were rubbish.
Round 20 was a completely different story. It was a game we should have pinched. Harris Andrew's played a blinder, keeping Ben Brown to one goal, McCluggage kicked three and Rayner was menacing. In the end, our inexperience cost us, with the occasional lapse in concentration and some Jack Ziebell heroics making the difference. We still might have pinched it in the end if Cam Rayner had a 'caddie' who could have advised about shot selection in the dying seconds. This was a game that started to show that there was light at the end of the tunnel, despite the result.
THIS WEEK - TIME TO ATONE
So we turn our attention to this week and I think that it is fair to say that we owe North Melbourne a good whack around the ears. This week the Lions have an opportunity to announce to the football world, but more importantly, to their loyal supporters that they have ARRIVED. We were brilliant against West Coast and the reasons we won that game are precisely why we will beat Nth. Melbourne. Simply put, with the inclusion of Neale and Lyons into the middle and the extra muscle a rejuvenated Mathieson brings to the team, North won't be able to walk the ball out of midfield stoppages. The greater midfield depth and strength we have now means that Berry is able to play an 'outside mid' role which means he is a more damaging player.
This intensity in the midfield appears to be mirrored around the ground. West Coast appeared genuinely stunned and North Melbourne can expect the same treatment. I have been a massive knock on McStay as a forward, but his intensity and passion for a contest were brilliant on the weekend. North, on the other hand, are coming off a hiding against Fremantle and I have observed a tendency over the years for Victorian teams to generally drop the next game they play after a trip to Perth. The signs are not good for North.
I also think that we have our Ruck situation worked out, with Martin and McInerney set to dominate this year. Both bring the added bonus of being good on the deck.
WHERE DO WE IMPROVE?
I think that it is reasonable to expect that our ball handling and delivery inside 50 will improve this week. Hipwood still needs to improve his kicking for goal, but in fairness, he had limited opportunities against West Coast, given the conditions and the forward line that Fagan set up after quarter time.
THE VERDICT?
BRISBANE BY 58 Points - THE LID IS OFF AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.
Brisbane go into this game firm favourites in my book and I am predicting a big win. Not quite as big as this famous victory over North Melbourne, but we should win easily.
Go Lions!
Vale Gary Sidebottom
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