Alarms set as 'suspicious' Lions welcome Eagles

Yahoo

22-03-2025

Chris Fagan will set his alarm for Brisbane's lunch date with West Coast, insistent the Eagles won't be easy pickings for the defending champions.
The Lions will unfurl their AFL premiership flag before midday on Sunday at the Gabba, with the first bounce at 12.10pm AEST.
Coach Fagan admitted the early start, in what's become the side's first home game this season after their postponed opening-round fixture, would hit differently.
"It changes my routine, geez, 12 o'clock," Fagan smirked.
"I can't remember the last time a game started that early. Right in the middle of the day, maximum heat.
"But we'll play in whatever situation is presented to us."
The Eagles were hammered by Gold Coast last weekend, the Suns' 87-point win their biggest in club history.
The visitors dominated the contested possession count (145-102), inside-50s (67-34) and clearances (50-33).
Compounding problems, All-Australian spearhead Jake Waterman will miss up to two weeks with a back issue that is causing pain in his calf.
But goalsneak Liam Ryan is back from a hamstring injury.
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter is demanding more around the contest against the Lions.
"You take last week with a grain of salt and (we're) expecting a way better version," Fagan said.
"We had a game against them last year in Perth, a hard fought, close game (the Lions won by 13)."
The Lions copped a 54-point thrashing from Port Adelaide in the first round of 2023 then beat Melbourne the following week.
"I'm pretty suspicious of round one results and we've been involved in that ourselves," Fagan said.
Small forward Kai Lohmann's ankle injury has created a chance for 19-year-old Will McLachlan to debut, while former Suns key forward Sam Day will play his first game for Brisbane after being delisted by Gold Coast last year.
Bruce Reville is also back in the fray while Charlie Cameron (calf) and Brandon Starcevich (concussion) won't play.
"Impressed us when he arrived last year (in the mid-season rookie draft) and contributed to a lot of scoring," Fagan said of McLachlan.
"He's a really good story ... couldn't force his way in (last season) but he's been right there amongst it and the injury to Kai Lohmann gives him the opportunity."
Day, in for Darcy Fort, is effectively the retired Joe Daniher's replacement, assisting Oscar McInerney in the ruck and providing a contest in the forward-50.
"He's different from Joe, a different sort of player, but he'll help us," Fagan said.