Lions turning around 'patchy' start to AFL season
Reigning AFL premiership coach Chris Fagan believes the Brisbane Lions have started to turn around some "patchy" form.
Despite sitting 7-1 - the club's best start to a season in merged history - the Lions have rarely put together a four-quarter performance.
But after a thumping loss to Collingwood on Easter Thursday, Brisbane's wins over St Kilda and Gold Coast have impressed even the harshest critics.
The Lions won every quarter against the Saints, and they kept the Suns to just four goals until time-on in the final term, before their Queensland rivals added three when the result was beyond doubt.
The Lions will start warm favourites when they face North Melbourne in Hobart on Sunday.
"We've got to make things happen going forward, so there's no guarantees there," Fagan told reporters on Saturday.
"I feel like our last couple of weeks have been pretty strong.
"I thought we were a little bit patchy before then.
"Just looking forward to continuing that on (Sunday) and trying to get a win.
"That's all you're trying to do at this time of year, trying to win as many games as you can and trying to improve.
"That's our task at the moment."
Brisbane welcome back premiership forwards Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris from injury, while ruckman Darcy Fort has been recalled for the injured Sam Day.
North Melbourne host their first match of the season in Tasmania boosted by the addition of tough midfielder George Wardlaw (thigh).
The Kangaroos have lost their past six matches after winning their one and only game for the season back in round two against Melbourne.
"The depth of their midfield is why they're a high-quality side," North coach Alastair Clarkson said about the Lions.
"So we'll be trying to stop some of their weapons through there without a doubt, but we need to go and play the game ourselves, too."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
Nicks on epic Captain's performance
AFL: Matthew Nicks was delighted with his teams victory over the Brisbane Lions in Friday night footy.
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- News.com.au
Queensland Derby delay to benefit Statuario but not so much Femminile
A week can be a long time in horse racing – just ask Femminile 's trainer Phillip Stokes. He wanted his talented filly to run on a heavy track in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm last weekend but unfortunately for him, persistent rain and poor visibility for jockeys meant the feature race was rescheduled to this Saturday. In stark contrast, fellow Pakenham trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne are delighted that Derby favourite Statuario will race on a good surface on Saturday in the $1m contest. And the husband-and-wife team has another ace up its sleeve in 'Derby King' John Allen, who is again booked to ride the grey gelding at Eagle Farm. The Irish jockey flew to Brisbane for just the one ride in the Derby last week but he didn't even get to jump on Statuario as the rain kept falling and the jockeys voted to call it a day after five races. He will be back in the River City on Saturday, hoping that his grey wizard can turn the tables on Femminile, who narrowly beat a late-charging Statuario in last month's South Australian Derby (2500m). Allen has won 20 Group 1s in Australia and, remarkably, nine of those have been in Derbies, including the 2019 Queensland edition for the Stokes-trained Mr Quickie. 'Yes, that definitely gives me a lot more confidence,' Emma-Lee Browne said of Allen's superb record in Derbies. 'He's a very patient rider and that comes from having a background as a jumps jockey with experience over the further distances. 'But the horses seem to settle really well for him which I think is crucial in these kind of races.' • It's in the blood: Front Page up for the fight in Moreton Cup Stokes, who organised the travel to the Gold Coast for both Statuario and rival Femminile, said the rescheduling of the Derby was 'not ideal'. 'We went up there hoping for a wet track but the races were called off,' he said. 'We would've loved to have run on a Heavy 10 because I know she likes it. 'Look, I still think she can run well (on Saturday) but is she on the up? No. 'Hopefully she can dig deep and pull one more out.' Statuario is the $6 favourite for the Queensland Derby ahead of three others in single-figures in the market – Belle Detelle ($7), King Of Thunder ($8) and Femminile ($9.50). Allen said it was 'frustrating' not getting to ride last Saturday but 'not too disappointing' given that Statuario had a far superior record (8: 3-2-0) on dry tracks. 'It's a very even race with no real standout,' Allen said of the Queensland Derby. 'I'm fairly confident Statuario is in as good form as anything in the race and he's trending the right way. 'I feel like he's the horse with the most upside at this stage.' Allen will be hoping to recapture his 2019 form in Queensland when he won Group 2 races The Roses (Etana) and The Q22 (Kenedna), which were the cherries on top of Group 1 victories in the Derby (Mr Quickie) and Doomben Cup (Kenedna). As for the nickname 'Derby King', Allen would love to win on Saturday to cement that reputation as the middle-distance magician. 'I haven't won a Derby in three years (2022 Australian Derby on Hitotsu) so it'll be good to top up the tally on Saturday,' he said.
The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Comeback Crows' late surge sinks Brisbane in thriller
Adelaide have produced a stunning last-quarter comeback to sink reigning premiers Brisbane by five points in an AFL thriller. Down 17 points at three-quarter time, the Crows then booted five goals to none for a 10.8 (68) to 8.15 (63) triumph at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Adelaide retain a hold on third spot - they're just two premiership points behind the second-placed Lions. Adelaide boast nine wins and four losses and appear certain to return to the finals for the first time since 2017. "I know we're we're a good side; we have got a little bit still to do to become a great side," Crows coach Matthew Nicks said. "But tonight is a step in the right direction. It backs up my belief in the group, there's no doubt about that." Adelaide livewire Josh Rachele slotted three goals, as did Ben Keays (20 disposals, seven inside 50s) who was outstanding against his former club. And their captain, Jordan Dawson, took a mark-of-the-year contender - and then goaled - during a final-term flourish which enhances the Crows' status as a genuine contender. Brisbane duo Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron kicked two goals each and Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft was superb with a game-high 31 disposals. Ashcroft's midfield colleagues Hugh McCluggage (27 touches, one goal), Jarrod Berry (28 possessions) and Lachie Neal (22) also revelled in the wet. In slippery conditions, it took until the 21st minute of the game for Brisbane's Rayner to score the opening goal. Just 60 seconds later, the Lions struck again when Callum Ah Chee bounced through a major. The visitors led 2.3 to 0.6 at the end of a first quarter which could land Crows recruit James Peatling in strife for a sling tackle on Neale. The Lions champ wasn't hurt when his head hit the turf but Peatling was penalised for a dangerous tackle certain to attract match review scrutiny. Brisbane scored three goals in nine minutes to create a 21-point advantage midway through the second term. But Adelaide responded to the danger with Rachele threading a remarkable 45m set shot from outside a boundary line to help cut their deficit to eight points at halftime, 5.3 to 3.7. That advantage was reduced to two points early in the third quarter when Rachele snapped his second goal - and 26 minutes into the term, the home side were still within four points. But late strikes from Cameron and Kai Lohmann gave Brisbane a 17-point buffer at three-quarter time. Adelaide then stormed to victory with five goals to none in less than 18 minutes. Tall attacker Riley Thilthorpe triggered the spree with a classy goal on the run from an acute angle - Keays, Dawson - after his soaring mark - Rachele and Keays again followed with majors for an 11-point lead. The Lions pressed late but could add only eight behinds in the final quarter - plus two attempts which sailed out-on-the-full. "In the last quarter - 10 shots to five - and we lose. That was a game we should have won," Lions coach Chris Fagan said. "We did so many things right and didn't win the game." Adelaide have produced a stunning last-quarter comeback to sink reigning premiers Brisbane by five points in an AFL thriller. Down 17 points at three-quarter time, the Crows then booted five goals to none for a 10.8 (68) to 8.15 (63) triumph at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Adelaide retain a hold on third spot - they're just two premiership points behind the second-placed Lions. Adelaide boast nine wins and four losses and appear certain to return to the finals for the first time since 2017. "I know we're we're a good side; we have got a little bit still to do to become a great side," Crows coach Matthew Nicks said. "But tonight is a step in the right direction. It backs up my belief in the group, there's no doubt about that." Adelaide livewire Josh Rachele slotted three goals, as did Ben Keays (20 disposals, seven inside 50s) who was outstanding against his former club. And their captain, Jordan Dawson, took a mark-of-the-year contender - and then goaled - during a final-term flourish which enhances the Crows' status as a genuine contender. Brisbane duo Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron kicked two goals each and Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft was superb with a game-high 31 disposals. Ashcroft's midfield colleagues Hugh McCluggage (27 touches, one goal), Jarrod Berry (28 possessions) and Lachie Neal (22) also revelled in the wet. In slippery conditions, it took until the 21st minute of the game for Brisbane's Rayner to score the opening goal. Just 60 seconds later, the Lions struck again when Callum Ah Chee bounced through a major. The visitors led 2.3 to 0.6 at the end of a first quarter which could land Crows recruit James Peatling in strife for a sling tackle on Neale. The Lions champ wasn't hurt when his head hit the turf but Peatling was penalised for a dangerous tackle certain to attract match review scrutiny. Brisbane scored three goals in nine minutes to create a 21-point advantage midway through the second term. But Adelaide responded to the danger with Rachele threading a remarkable 45m set shot from outside a boundary line to help cut their deficit to eight points at halftime, 5.3 to 3.7. That advantage was reduced to two points early in the third quarter when Rachele snapped his second goal - and 26 minutes into the term, the home side were still within four points. But late strikes from Cameron and Kai Lohmann gave Brisbane a 17-point buffer at three-quarter time. Adelaide then stormed to victory with five goals to none in less than 18 minutes. Tall attacker Riley Thilthorpe triggered the spree with a classy goal on the run from an acute angle - Keays, Dawson - after his soaring mark - Rachele and Keays again followed with majors for an 11-point lead. The Lions pressed late but could add only eight behinds in the final quarter - plus two attempts which sailed out-on-the-full. "In the last quarter - 10 shots to five - and we lose. That was a game we should have won," Lions coach Chris Fagan said. "We did so many things right and didn't win the game." Adelaide have produced a stunning last-quarter comeback to sink reigning premiers Brisbane by five points in an AFL thriller. Down 17 points at three-quarter time, the Crows then booted five goals to none for a 10.8 (68) to 8.15 (63) triumph at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Adelaide retain a hold on third spot - they're just two premiership points behind the second-placed Lions. Adelaide boast nine wins and four losses and appear certain to return to the finals for the first time since 2017. "I know we're we're a good side; we have got a little bit still to do to become a great side," Crows coach Matthew Nicks said. "But tonight is a step in the right direction. It backs up my belief in the group, there's no doubt about that." Adelaide livewire Josh Rachele slotted three goals, as did Ben Keays (20 disposals, seven inside 50s) who was outstanding against his former club. And their captain, Jordan Dawson, took a mark-of-the-year contender - and then goaled - during a final-term flourish which enhances the Crows' status as a genuine contender. Brisbane duo Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron kicked two goals each and Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft was superb with a game-high 31 disposals. Ashcroft's midfield colleagues Hugh McCluggage (27 touches, one goal), Jarrod Berry (28 possessions) and Lachie Neal (22) also revelled in the wet. In slippery conditions, it took until the 21st minute of the game for Brisbane's Rayner to score the opening goal. Just 60 seconds later, the Lions struck again when Callum Ah Chee bounced through a major. The visitors led 2.3 to 0.6 at the end of a first quarter which could land Crows recruit James Peatling in strife for a sling tackle on Neale. The Lions champ wasn't hurt when his head hit the turf but Peatling was penalised for a dangerous tackle certain to attract match review scrutiny. Brisbane scored three goals in nine minutes to create a 21-point advantage midway through the second term. But Adelaide responded to the danger with Rachele threading a remarkable 45m set shot from outside a boundary line to help cut their deficit to eight points at halftime, 5.3 to 3.7. That advantage was reduced to two points early in the third quarter when Rachele snapped his second goal - and 26 minutes into the term, the home side were still within four points. But late strikes from Cameron and Kai Lohmann gave Brisbane a 17-point buffer at three-quarter time. Adelaide then stormed to victory with five goals to none in less than 18 minutes. Tall attacker Riley Thilthorpe triggered the spree with a classy goal on the run from an acute angle - Keays, Dawson - after his soaring mark - Rachele and Keays again followed with majors for an 11-point lead. The Lions pressed late but could add only eight behinds in the final quarter - plus two attempts which sailed out-on-the-full. "In the last quarter - 10 shots to five - and we lose. That was a game we should have won," Lions coach Chris Fagan said. "We did so many things right and didn't win the game."
